J.  ^/f 


PRESENTED  TO  THE  LIBRARY 


OF 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINHRY 


BY 


|VIi»s.  Alexander  Ppoudfit. 

BV  4801  .H36  1866 
Harsha,  D.  A.  1827-1895. 
The  Christian's  present  for 
all  seasons 


"i-^^SSrs^-'i-  _;^- 


ciK'.^-- 


/  - 


'•"/' 


■W^^ 


f -^^ 


n/ij,a/ric 


Eiuerei  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S66,  by 
D.    A.    HARSHA, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Northern  District  of  New  York. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


Devotion  may  be  considered  in  reference  either 
to  the  act  performed,  or  tlie  spirit  in  which  the  act 
originates.  Between  the  act  and  tlie  spirit  there  is 
an  indissoluble  connection  —  the  latter  could  not 
lone:  exist  without  manifestino;  itself  in  the  former — 
the  former  without  the  latter  w^ould  be  simple 
hypocrisy.  As  the  heart,  being  the  fountain  of  all 
moral  action,  gives  complexion  to  the  life,  so  the 
devotional  habits  of  an  individual  will  be  deter- 
mined by  his  devotional  feelings.  There  may 
indeed  be  the  appearance  of  devotion  where  there 
is  not  the  reality;  but  insincerity  even  towards  God 
wdll  be  almost  sure  to  betray  itself  to  the  observation 
of  men. 

But  while  all  devotion  recognizes  a  God,  or  at  least 
a  being  who  is  called  God,  it  is  obvious  that  the 
devotion  must  assume  a  type  corresponding  with 
the  character  of  the  being  who  is  the  object  of  it. 
The  Pagan  bows  before  an  image  of  wood  or  stoue; 


IV  INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 

but  the  homage  that  he  renders,  is  an  offence  not 
only  against  the  living  and  true  God,  but  against 
the  dignity  of  his  own  nature.  The  Deist  profes- 
sedly acknoAvledges  the  God  who  is  revealed  by 
the  light  of  nature;  and  he  ascribes  to  Him  infinite 
perfection;  and  owns  himself  dependent  upon  his 
l)ounty  and  his  care;  but  he  forgets  that  he  has  to 
approach  Him  as  a  sinner,  and  that  God  is  of  purer 
eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity,  and  therefore  cannot 
be  approached  except  in  the  new  and  living  way 
which  He  hath  himself  ordained.  It  is  Christianity 
alone  that  puts  us  into  legitimate  communion  with 
the  Father  of  our  spirits.  This  shows  us  that  the 
only  way  to  the  throne  of  mercy  leads  by  the  Cross; 
that  it  is  only  through  the  gracious  intercession  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  founded  on  the  merit  of  his  atoning 
sacrifice,  that  our  prayers,  offered  in  humility  and 
faith,  can  find  acceptance. 

Th<^  spirit  of  devotion  may  be  regarded  as  an 
epitome  of  the  Christian  graces  —  these  graces  arc 
combined  in  the  exercise  of  this  spirit;  and  more 
than  that,  they  react  with  a  quickening  power  upon 
the  spirit  itself.  The  truly  devout  Christian  bows 
with  reverence  before  the  Divine  perfections;  takes 
counsel  of  the  word  and  providence  of  God  for 
intimations  of  the  Divine  will;  laments  the  preva- 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  V 

lence  of  indwelling  sin;  relies  on  the  merits  of 
Christ  and  the  power  and  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit; 
and  prays  for  an  increasing  conformity  to  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  Gospel,  and  for  the  universal  preva- 
lence of  truth  and  righteousness.  And  with  these 
exercises  are  identified  humility,  trust,  submission, 
charity,  zeal  in  doing  good, —  every  thing  that  ele- 
vates human  character,  and  constitutes  the  appropri- 
ate preparation  for  Heaven. 

If  then  the  spirit  of  devotion  is  so  important  in 
its  exercises  and  results,  if  it  is  that  with  which  the 
tone  of  Christian  character  is  pre-eminently  identi- 
fied, surely  it  is  not  less  the  interest  than  the  duty 
of  every  Christian  to  guard  against  all  those  influ- 
ences by  wdiich  its  exercise  is  impeded.  And  what 
are  some  of  those  influences? 

There  is  the  influence  of  a  low  state  of  relio-ion 
in  the  heart.  The  process  of  sanctification,  thougli 
on  the  whole  progressive,  is  marked  by  great  irre- 
gularity and  inconstancy,  and  sometimes  even  seems 
to  assume  a  retrograde  course.  There  are  times,  in 
the  experience  of  many  Christians  at  least,  when 
most  of  the  graces  seem  to  have  passed  into  an 
eclipse,  and  the  world  triumphantly  inquire  in 
respect  to  them, —  "What  do  they  more  than 
others?''     The   sense    of    Christian    obi  illation    has 


VI  INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 

been  greatly  lowered;  the  estimate  of  God's  word 
and  ordinances  has  sunk  proportionally;  and  the 
atmosphere  which  they  breathe  most  freely  is  not 
that  which  is  sanctified  by  the  presence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  In  such  a  heart  surely  the  spirit  of  devotion 
cannot  but  languish;  and  the  waking  np  of  that 
spirit  is  to  be  looked  for  only  in  a  return  to  all  the 
duties  of  the  Christian  life. 

Closely  connected  wdth  the  preceding,  and  even 
identified  with  it,  is  the  prevalence  of  ungodly  pas- 
sion, which  forms  so  large  an  element  in  our  corrupt 
nature.  As  men  differ  in  their  original  constitu- 
tions, —  some  possessing  one  quality  in  a  higher 
degree,  and  some  another,  —  so  the  evil  passions 
and  propensities  that  remain  in  the  heart,  after  the 
regenerating  work  is  performed,  exist  in  different 
individuals  in  various  deofrees  of  stren2:th.  Here  there 
is  an  undue  appreciation  of  worldly  honour,  and  cor- 
respondiug  efforts  to  attain  it.  There  deceitful 
riches  play  upon  the  imagination  and  the  heart  with 
a  power  that  proves  irresistible.  And  yonder  is 
another  who  indulges  in  covetousness,  or  envy,  or 
who  even  suffers  the  viper  revenge,  under  some 
misnomer,  to  linger  in  his  bosom.  But  can  any 
thing  be  more  hostile  than  these  ungodly  passions 
to  the  spirit  of  devotion?     Ts  it  not  manifest  that. 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  vii 

just  in  proportion  as  they  prevail  in  the  soul,  there 
must  be  a  disinclination,  an  absolute  disability,  for 
communion  with  God? 

And  there  is  an  influence  from  the  outer  world, 
co-operating  with  that  from  the  inner,  tendiug  to 
the  same  result.  Here  we  have,  for  the  present,  our 
home, —  our  place  of  residence,  our  field  of  labour. 
Such  has  been  the  ordering  of  our  lot  that  we  are 
kept,  at  various  points,  in  contact  Avith  the  Avorld; 
and,  in  yielding  tp  this  arrangement  and  acting  in 
accordance  with  it,  we  only  obey  a  divinely  ordained 
necessity  of  our  earthly  condition.  Nor  is  there 
any  thing  in  this  arrangement  that  necessarily  inter- 
feres with  the  exercise  of  a  devotional  spirit  —  on 
the  contrary,  there  is  much,  which,  if  viewed  aright, 
is  fitted  to  encourage  and  cherish  it;  and  yet  all 
experience  proves  that,  by  perversion,  it  becomes  a 
powerful  means  of  counteracting  the  soul's  upward 
tendencies,  and  sometimes  of  absolutely  chaining  it 
down  to  earth.  So  long  as  we  can  plead  that  we 
are  obevins^  the  Divine  mandate  in  attendino*  to  our 

I/O  o 

secular  concerns,  and  that  to  "be  diligent  in  busi- 
ness" is  required  by  the  same  authority  as  to  "pray 
without  ceasing,"  there  is  danger,  great  danger,  that 
we  shall  sufier  the  world  to  gain  an  undue  dominion 
over  us;  and,  as  a  consequence,  that  a  proportional 


Vlll  INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 

irregularity  and  formality  will  pervade  our  devo- 
tions. But  wliile  this  effect  may  be  produced  by 
tlie  mere  want  of  watchfulness  in  our  necessary 
worldly  engagements,  let  it  be  remembered  that  the 
world  is  little  less  than  "  a  show-box  of  tempta- 
tions;" that  the  wealth  of  the  world,  and  the  pomp 
and  show  of  the  world,  and  the  official  stations  of 
the  world,  have  each  their  respective  attractions; 
while  the  world  itself  is  full  of  "evil  men  and 
seducers  who  wax  worse  and  worse."  Now,  when  it 
is  remembered  that  these  varied  influences  for  evil 
have  to  act  upon  hearts  in  which  the  love  of  evil 
has  been  only  partially  removed,  and  in  which  there 
is  still  more  or  less  of  sympathy  with  surrounding 
temptation,  who  does  not  perceive  that  there  is 
imminent  danger  lest  the  principle  of  the  new  life 
should  languish,  involving  of  course  the  vigorous 
actings  of  the  spirit  of  devotion?  What  observing 
Christian  is  there,  whose  memory  is  not  the  deposi- 
tory of  many  sad  cases  in  which  the  world  has  so 
far  triumphed  in  the  heart  of  the  professed  disciple 
of  Christ,  that  prayer,  which  had  once  been  his 
vital  breath,  has  come  to  seem  indiflEcrent,-  if  not 
positively  distasteful? 

But  if  it  is  important  that  we  Avatch  against  those 
influences  which  tend  to  deaden  the  spirit  of  devo- 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  ix 

tion,  equally  necessary  is  it  that  we  avail  ourselves 
of  all  the  helps  within  our  reach  for  its  exercise 
and  culture. 

One  of  these  is  to  be  found  in  the  careful  keep- 
ing of  the  heart.  He  who  keeps  his  heart  with  all 
diligence  will  not  only  be  secure  against  the  inroads 
of  temptation,  but  will  be  sure  also  to  keep  a  con- 
science in  a  good  degree  void  of  offence;  and  this 
will  render  an  approach  to  the  throne  of  grace  easy 
and  pleasant  to  him.  So  too  there  will  be  associ- 
ated with  this  a  deep  sense  of  dependence;  for  it  is 
impossible  that  one  should  explore  diligently  and 
habitually  his  own  heart,  without  realizing  that  the 
sanctifying  work  that  is  to  be  carried  forward  there, 
can  never  proceed  independently  of  an  influence 
from  on  high,  —  an  influence  not  to  be  hoped  for 
except  in  answer  to  fervent  prayer.  Indeed,  the 
very  exercise  of  keeping  the  heart  not  only  serves 
to  keep  alive  a  devotional  spirit,  by  direct  minis- 
tration, but  that  spirit  may  be  regarded  as  its  pri- 
mary element  —  the  two  essentially  coexist,  and 
inhere  in  each  other. 

A  religious  observance  of  the  dispensations  of 
Providence,  whether  in  respect  to  ourselves  or 
others,  tends  to  the  same  result.  Notwithstanding 
the  order   of  events   proceeds   according  to  fixed 

1^ 


X  INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 

laws,  aud  in  this  very  uniformity  the  Atheist  finds 
an  aro'ument  as^ainst  the  existence  of  a  God,  still 
every  religious  observer  of  Avhat  is  passing  must  see 
evidences  the  most  conclusive  of  the  movements  of 
a  Divine  hand.  And  if  God  is  always  i^resent  with 
me  to  supply  my  wants  and  crown  me  with  his 
goodness,  shall  I  not  be  drawn  near  to  Him  in  acts 
of  devout  thanksgiving?  If  I  become  forgetful  of 
his  benefits  or  remiss  in  my  duty,  and  He  adminis- 
tel's  a  orracious  chastisement  with  a  view  to  humble 
and  reform  me,  shall  I  not  betake  nwself  at  once  to 
the  throne  of  mercy,  there  to  humble  m^^self  for  my 
sin,  and  to  accept  reverently  the  Divine  correction? 
And  so,  when  I  look  around  me  and  notice  the  vari- 
ous ways  in  which  my  fellow-creatures  are  led; 
when  I  see  blessings  crowding  upon  the  footsteps 
of  some,  and  fearful  calamities  accumulating  in  the 
path  of  others;  when  I  extend  my  view  and  take  in 
the  nation  or  the  world,  and  mark  the  wonderful 
changes  that  are  going  forward  everywhere  —  here 
perplexity  and  disaster,  there  success  and  triumph; 
here  the  reign  of  the  deepest  moral  darkness,  and 
there  the  clouds  passing  off"  as  the  Sun  of  Kighte- 
ousness  breaks  forth; — I  say,  when  I  take  such  a 
broad  view  as  this,  can  I  fail  to  find  material  for 
devotion  every  where?     Must  I  not  adore  the  hand 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  xi 

that  can  work  such  changes?  Must  I  not  praise  the 
hand  that  can  pour  forth  such  blessings?  Must  I 
not  tremble  before  the  hand  that  can  inflict  such 
terrible  evils?  Must  I  not  be  more  than  ever  desir- 
ous to  dwell  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most  High? 

There  is  that  also  in  frequent  and  intimate  Chris- 
tian intercourse,  that  is  fitted  to  strengthen  the 
habit  of  devotion.  B}^  communing  frequently  with 
each  other,  Christians  come  to  know  more  not  only 
of  one  another's  hearts  but  of  their  own;  and  thus 
they  come  to  the  throne  of  grace,  sharing  one 
another's  burdens,  and  supplicating  more  intelli- 
gently as  well  as  more  earnestly  for  themselves. 
Let  a  company  of  Christian  friends  be  assembled  to 
take  counsel  of  each  other  in  respect  to  their  trials, 
or  duties,  or  prospects,  or  any  thing  pertaining  to 
the  Christian  life,  and  while  they  will  almost  of 
course  crown  the  interview  with  united  prayer,  they 
will  carry  away  with  them  a  spirit  that  will  make 
their  closets  more  dear  to  them,  and  render  them 
fellow  helpers  there  unto  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Yet  another  aid  to  the  spirit  of  devotion  is  found 
in  the  diligent  study  of  God's  word,  and  other 
books  of  spiritual  tendency.  As  the  Bil)le  is  an 
immediate  revelation  from  God,  containing  a  record 
of  his  doings  in  the  past  and  predictions  of  what  lie 


Xll  INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY. 

will  do  hereafter;  as  it  illustrates  the  great  princi- 
ples of  his  government,  and  teaches  ns  all  that 
it  is  necessary  we  should  know  in  respect  to  the 
economy  of  our  salvation;  as  it  brings  us  in  con- 
tact with  truths  and  facts,  bearing  not  upon  indi- 
viduals merely,  but  upon  the  race,  and  as  not  a 
small  portion  of  its  contents  actually  take  on  the 
form  of  confession,  supplication  and  praise, —  it  can- 
not otherwise  be,  in  view  of  all  these  considerations, 
than  that  the  earnest  student  of  the  Bible, —  admit- 
ting that  he  approaches  it  with  a  proper  spirit,  — 
should,  at  the  same  time,  possess,  in  large  measure, 
the  spirit  of  prayer.  It  certainly  is  not  to  be 
denied  that  the  Bible  may  be  studied,  and  that  too 
with  great  zeal  and  carefulness,  for  the  mere  grati- 
fication of  curiosity,  or  for  the  still  worse  purpose 
of  disproving  its  Divine  authority;  and  in  every 
such  case  of  course  nothing  but  evil  can  be  expected 
as  the  result;  but  let  it  be  studied  as  the  word  of 
God,  with  a  sincere  desire  to  find  out  and  digest  its 
precious  meaning,  and  the  effect  will  be  that  the 
individual  concerned  will  be  sensible  of  constantly 
growing  attractions  in  the  throne  of  grace,  and  with 
the  increase  of  his  scriptural  knowledge  there  will 
be  a  corresponding  growth  of  his  devotional  fervour. 
And   though   the  Bible   is   the  Book  above  all 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  xiii 

others,  yet  it  is  by  no  means  the  only  book,  from 
which  the  spirit  of  devotion  is  to  be  inhaled  —  the 
world   is   fnll   of  books    which    have    draAvn  their 
materials   substantially   from   the   Bible;    some  of 
which  are  designed  simply  to  explain  its  meaning; 
others  to  enforce  and  impress  its  blessed  truths;  and 
not  a  few,  like  the  Psalms  of  David,  bring  the  soul 
into    direct   communion   with    its    God.      We   are 
obliged  indeed  to  admit  that  in  this  almost  endless 
variety  of  books,  purporting   to   bear  a  religious 
character,  there  are  not  a  few  that  are  worse  than 
useless;  while  some  strike  at  the  very  roots  of  that 
religion  of  which  they  profess  to  appear  as  advo- 
cates.    But,   notwithstanding  the  deluge    of  trash 
that  has  come  in  under  the  assumed  character  of 
religious  literature,  the  world  abounds  with  works 
that  reflect  the  truths  of  the  Bible  in  sunbeams,  and 
that  bring  these  truths  in  direct  contact  with  the 
conscience  and  the  heart.     Such  works,  judiciously 
selected,  it  is  desirable  that  every  Christian  should 
avail  himself  of,  in  the  prosecution  of  his  religious 
course;  and  in  so  doing,  while  the  general  tone  of 
his  spiritual  life  will  be  quickened,  he  will  secure 
to    himself  a   larger  measure    of    that    dependent, 
grateful,-  confiding  spirit  that  loves  to  breathe  out 
its  ofierings  at  the  throne  of  the  Heavenly  grace. 


xiv  INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY. 

Among  the  many  excellent  works  adapted  espe* 
cially  to  help  the  Christian  iu  his  devotions,  that  to 
which  this  brief  Essay  is  designed  as  an  introduc- 
tion, holds  a  prominent  place.  The  Compiler  seems 
'to  have  ran2:ed  throus^h  almost  the  whole  field  of 
devotional  literature,  and  to  have  gathered  up  all 
the  Ijrightest  gems  that  came  iu  his  way;  and  so 
successful  has  he  been  that  one  may  open  the  book 
at  random,  as  often  as  he  will,  and  will  never  find 
his  eye  resting  upon  any  thing  that  he  can  afford  to 
pass  over,  or  that  does  not  supply  the  elements  of 
rich  devotional  thought.  It  is  difficult  to  say  which 
is  most  to  be  admired,  the  Compiler's  good  judg- 
ment and  taste,  or  his  extraordinary  patience  in 
research,  that  has  brought  to  us  the  heavenly 
thoughts  of  so  many  saints  and  sages.  Of  all  the 
contributions  that  Mr.  Harsha  has  made  to  our 
Christian  literature,  it  may  reasonably  be  doubted 
whether  there  is  one  for  which  posterity  will,  hold 
him  in  more  grateful  remembrance,  than  this  beau- 
tiful compilation  of  "Devotional  Thoughts." 

W.  B.  S. 


PRE  FAC  E. 


It  is  more  than  ten  years  since  tlie  preparation  of  the  present 
volume  was  commenced.  During  all  this  time,  the  selection  of  these 
beautiful  i3assages  has  been  slowly  but  steadily  carried  on.  Tlie 
work  was  undertaken  in  connection  with  the  editing  of  a  TAhrary 
of  Christian  Authors,  embracing  Memoirs  of  Eminent  Divines,  and 
their  choice  works — a  series  whose  preparation  is  not  yet  completed. 
In  performing  this  long  and  arduous  labor,  and  Avhile  carefully 
perusing  the  works  of  our  best  authors,  from  the  17th  century  to 
the  present  time,  passages  in  each  author,  which  the  editor  regarded 
as  among  the  finest  specimens  of  devotional  and  practical  writing, 
were  selected  for  the  present  volume.  In  this  manner  have  these 
'  calm  and  holy  thoughts'  of  those  who  have  shone  as  stars  in  the 
firmament  of  the  Christian  Church,  been  brought  together;  and  it 
is  believed  that  in  the  following  pages  will  be  found  some  of  the 
choicest  gems  of  English  sacred  literature — gems  which  '  within 
small  compass,  and  in  purest  gold,  will  preserve  their  lustre  for 
ages.' 

The  selections  are  from  forty  writers,  whose  names  are  given  in 
chronological  order,  with  the  dates  of  their  birth  and  death.  By 
far  the  most  copious  selections  are  from  the  works  of  Bishop  Hall, 
one  of  the  most  devotional,  and  at  the  same  time,  most  evangelical 
of  our  Christian  authors.  Among  the  others,  a  large  space  is  also 
given  to  Archbishop  Leighton,  who  exhibits  a  truly  devotional  spirit, 
and  of  whom  Coleridge  has  justly  remarked:  'If  there  could  be 
an  intermediate  space  between  inspired  and  uninspired  writings, 
that  space  would  be  occupied  by  Leighton.' 

The  selections  are  made  from  the  latest  or  best  editions  of  the 
works  of  the  various  authors,  in  the  editor's  private  library;  and 
the  most  of  the  following  specimens  of  devotional  and  practical  wri- 
tings, are  from  volumes  not  easily  accessible  to  the  general  reader. 

'  There  are  remains  of  great  and  good  men,'  says  Mattliew  Henry, 
'  which,  like  Elijah's  mantle,  ought  to  be  gathered  up  and  preserved 
by  the  survivors;  their  sayings,  their  Avritings,  their  examples; 
that  as  their  works  follow  them  in  the  reward  of  them,  they  may  stay 
behind  in  the  benefit  of  them.'  And  here  are  some  of  those  '  remains",' 
gathered  from  the  writings  of  some  of  the  excellent  of  the  earth, 
which  are  fitted  to  fill  the  mind  of  the  Christian  with  delightful 
thoughts  of  the  Saviour,  and  of  His  glorious  work  of  redemption; 


18  PREFACE. 

to  excite  devotional  feelings,  and  to  raise  the  affections  to  that  hetter 
land, — 

'  AVhere  beauty  smiles  eternally, 
And  pleasure  never  dies.' 

It  has  been  well  remarked  by  Bishop  Hall,  that  '  the  soul  that 
is  rightly  affected  to  God,  is  never  void  of  a  holy  devotion.  Where- 
ever  it  is,  whatever  it  doth,  it  is  still  lifted  up  to  God,  and  fastened 
upon  Him,  and  converses  with  Him;  ever  serving  the  Lord  in  fear, 
and  rejoicing  in  Him  with  trembling.'  Most  gladly  would  the  edi- 
tor of  this  volume  say  to  the  Christian  reader,  in  the  words  of  the 
same  excellent  divine:  '  If  I  have  given  your  devotions  any  light, 
it  is  well ;  the  least  glimpse  of  this  knowledge  is  worth  all  the  full 
gleams  of  human  and  earthly  skill.' 

In  the  sincere  hope  of  assisting  the  believer  in  Jesus  in  the  hea- 
venly exercise  of  devotion,  and  of  solacing  his  mind  amidst  the 
various  trials,  conflicts,  sorrows  and  bereavements  of  life,  the  present 
manual  is  now  offered  to  the  Christian  public. 

May  the  precious  thoughts  in  this  volume  soothe  and  cheer  the 
Christian  in  his  pilgrimage  through  a  vale  of  tears,  endearing  the 
Saviour  in  His  personal  excellencies,  and  in  His  mediatorial  work, 
more  and  more  to  his  heart,  till  fully  prepared  by  divine  grace  for 
the  joys  of  heaven,  his  sanctified  soul  is  carried  at  the  hour  of 
death,  by  ministering  angels,  to  the  realms  of  bliss,  there  to  be  ever 
with  the  Lord,  and  to  praise  Him  in  those  '  many  mansions'  of  our 
Father's  house,  where  God  wipes  away  the  last  tear  of  sorroAv.  O 
happy  close  of  life's  weary  pilgrimage,  to  depart  and  to  be  with 
Christ !  What  Christian,  as  he  thinks  of  the  glory  reserved  for  liim 
in  heaven,  does  not  now  feel  like  breathing  the  prayer  of  the  Chris- 
tian poet: — 

'  Oh,  when  life's  sunset  draAvs  around  me, 

Closing  my  eventful  day, 
Let  Thy  love,  0  Christ,  upon  me 

Shed  its  pure  and  spirit  ray. 
Up  the  starry  steeps  of  even, 

Let  Thy  Spirit  be  my  guide, 
Till  in  the  deathless  light  of  heaven, 

Lost  to  earth,  my  spirit  glide. 

'  There,  where  daylight  ever  lingers. 

O'er  the  vernal,  flower-clad  plains, — 
There,  where  morning's  rosy  fingers 

Wreathe  with  light  the  azure  main, — 
There,  where  all  Ave  dream  of  brightness, 

Joy  or  peace,  to  make  us  blest, 
May  the  wrapt  soul  on  wings  of  lightness 

Find  rest,  ah,  yes:  eternal  rest.' 

Argyle,  N.  Y../an.  18G7.  D.  A.  II. 


CO N T E N  r S . 


Joseph  Hall,  D.  D.  :  Page. 

The  Saviour  in  Gethsemane 2'^ 

Christ  the  Smitten  Kock 30 

Blessedness  of  Salvation <^1 

Meditation  on  Death  32 

The  Divine  Mercy  in  Eedemption 36 

Pardon  for  the  Most  Guilty - 38 

TheFear  of  Death-- 41 

Behold  God  as  Keally  Present -Ip 

Thoughts  of  God  in  the  Devout  Person 43 

Thoughts  at  the  Communion  Table 41 

Do  this  in  Remembrance  of  Me 46 

Thoughts  after  the  Communion 47 

True  Kepentance -- 48 

Mercy  for  the  Vilest 48 

All  are  Pilgrims 5? 

Death  but  a  Sleep ^1 

Prayer ^j. 

Redemption ^"^ 

The  Christian  in  his  Devotion ^4 

The  Christian  in  his  Death »^*^ 

The  Christian's  Home - ^J* 

Heavenly  and  Earthly  Things- ^^ 

HumiUty - - ^^ 

Eternity f  ^ 

The  Celestial  City ^f 

The  True  Christian  Happy - "  *^}^ 

The  Saviour's  Agony - y} 

The  Night  of  Death - ^: 

Heavenly  Joys ^"^ 

Honey  fi-om  the  Rock J,"^ 

The  Heavenly  Manna Jj^ 

The  Happy  Return  Home y^ 

The  Felicity  of  Heaven Jf^ 

God  Manilest  in  the  Flesh ^^ 

The  Saviour  received  up  into  Glory ^1 

Heavenly  Mindedness ;L" 

Heavenly  Recognition ^ --- ^3 

The  Glory  of  Heaven - - -  - ^jj 

The  Saviour's  Sufferings  and  Glories --- ^^l 

Paradise - - i'. 

Unchangeable  Duration /;' 


__  80 

Life  a  Pilgrimage "- 


Rest  in  God . 


On  the  Length  bf  the  Way **'- 

'J'he  Divine  Love 

ElCHAKD  SiBBES,  D.  D. : 
Grace  ^'^ 


H7 

J. lit!  iiuv  >3pirit  our  Guide °' 

Beholding  of  Christ,  a  Transforming  Sight »-' 


20  CONTENTS. 

Comfort  in  Distress - 90 

Pardoniug  Mercy 90 

Prayer  and  Praise 91 

Praising  God 93 

God  our  Refuge 96 

Spiritual  Desertion - 97 

God  our  Portion  -- 98 

Comfort  in  the  Hour  of  Death 100 

Jeremy  Taylob,  D.  D.: 
Prayers,       I. 102 

n 103 

III. - 104 

IV. - 105 

V. 106 

VI.--- - - 107 

•VII. - 108 

VIII. 109 

Evening  Prayers,   I. 109 

II. - 110 

Prayer  for  one  in  Trouble Ill 

Prayer  for  one  in  Sickness  - 112 

Prayer  before  a  Journey - 113 

Prayers  on  receiving  the  Sacrament,    I. - 114 

II. 115 

Prayers  for  Pardon  of  Sins,    I. 115 

"       II. 116 

On  Prayer- 117 

Advantages  of  Prayer 119 

The  Righteous  Safe 120 

Consolation 121 

God's  Mercy 123 

The  Repenting  Sinner ■ 124 

Robert  Leighton,  D.  D.: 

Salvation 125 

Free  Grace - 126 

Redemption  the  Admiration  of  Angels - 127 

The  Scriptures -- 128 

Prayer 129 

True  Rest 131 

The  Christian  Warfare 131 

Communion  vrith  Christ  in  Suffering 133 

The  Believer's  Joy  at  the  Revelation  of  Christ 134 

Glory  of  Christ  at  the  Last  Day 135 

Steadfastness  in  the  Faith 135 

Eternal  Glory % 136 

Meditation  on  the  Eighth  Psalm 137 

Spiritual  Desire  of  Death 138 

Come  to  the  Saviour--- 139 

Christ  the  Light  of  the  Christian 140 

Happiness  of  the  Life  to  Come  ----^ 140 

Prayers,       I. 143 

IL 144 

"  III. 145 

IV. IIG 

V. 147 

VL 148 

VIL 149 

"        Vin. 151 

Richard  B.\xter: 

Walking  with  God 153 

Prayer  in  the  Hour  of  Death 155 

Language  and  Power  of  Faith ^ 156 


CONTENTS.  21 

Second  Coming  of  Christ 153 

The  Saints'  Joy "  -i/.i 

The  Word  of  God '.'/.'.'."[  163 

Love  of  God -  -  loi 

Everlasting  Joys  of  Heaven 1(55 

Kepose  of  the  Soul jg^ 

How  to  Live  a  Pleasant  Life Iq^ 

-  Thanksgiving  and  Praise Igy 

The  Redeemed  in  Glory 17 j 

Heavenly  Recognition 173 

Love  to  Saints  in  Heaven I75 

Loss  of  Pious  Friends jyg 

Live  by  Faith 177 

Comtemplation  of  God 178 

Sohtude 180 

Infinite  Goodness  of  God 18i 

The  Saviour's  Condescension  and  Love 18:3 

Heavenly  Aspirations I85 

Prayer  for  the  Penitent 18g 

Crucified  to  the  World 187 

Now  or  Never I87 

John  Owen,  D.  D.  : 

Praj-er  to  Christ  in  Seasons  of  Distress 189 

Communion  of  Behevers  in  Heavenly  Worshii) IJO 

Visions  of  Celestial  Glory - 1<J2 

The  Saints'  Rest ]<j3 

The  Word  of  God T95 

A  Hiding  Place  from  the  Wind 1<)G 

A  Covert  from  the  Tempest I97 

Faith  Ti-iumphant  in  the  Hour  of  Death 198 

Fulness  of  Christ 198 

Beholding  the  Glory  of  Christ 189 

Sa\ing  Grace - 201) 

Flourisliing  of  the  Righteous ooo 

Spiritual  Decays  in  tlie  Christian 2t)-2 

Recovery  from  Backsliding 20:J 

How  to  Die  Comfortably 204 

The  Departing  Soul 2  ,'5 

True  Pleasiires 207 

William  Bates,  D.  D.  : 

Heavenly  Joy - - 208 

Heavenly  Conversation -- 209 

The  Music  of  Heaven 210 

Death  and  Heaven 211 

Death  of  Pious  Friends 212 

Perpetuity  of  Bhss 213 

Ever  with  the  Lord 211 

Symon  Patbick,  D.  D.  : 
Prayers,     L 216 

n. 218 

"     in. 220 

lY. 223 

John  Flavel,  B.  A. : 

Efficacy  of  the  Blood  of  the  Cross 225 

Fountain  of  Life 227 

The  Study  of  Christ 228 

Vision  of  God  in  Glory 228 

Divine  Care  - 230 

Faith  in  God's  Unchangeableness 232 

Walking  with  God 233 

Rest  in  God  -- 233 


22  CONTENTS. 

Commiiuiou  with  God - - 234 

Christ's  Love  manifest  from  the  Cross --- 335 

Free  Grace 236 

Grace  of  God 237 

Pardon  for  the  most  Heinous  Sins 237 

Peace  to  the  Soul - - 238 

Joj'in  the  Holy  Ghost - 239 

Foretastes  of  Heaven - 241 

The  Longing  Soul's  Reflection 243 

Reflection  of  a  Growing  Christian 244 

Lost  and  Found - 245 

The  Ocean  of  Divine  Mercy - 245 

Joy  of  the  Redeemed 246 

Assurance 247 

Constancy  of  Christ's  Love - 248 

Maturity  of  Grace 249 

End  of  the  Christian's  Tiials 250 

Stephen  Chabnock,  B.  D.  : 

Meditation  on  the  Glory  of  Christ 251 

Christ  our  Advocate - 254 

Christ  Presenting  the  Memorials  of  his  Death ---257 

Perpetuity  of  Christ's  Intercession 259 

Eflicacy  of  Christ's  Intercession 261 

Love  to  Clu'ist  as  our  Advocate - - 262 

The  Glorified  Redeemer - 263 

The  Substance  of  the  Gospel 264 

Love  of  God 265 

Our  Access  to  God 265 

The  Covenant  of  Redemption 266 

Christ  Filled  with  the  Spirit 267 

Infijiite  Compassion  of  God - 268 

The  Saviour's  Agony 269 

Christ's  Love  as  Manifested  in  His  Death - 271 

God  Spared  not  His  Son 271 

Our  Acceptanee  in  Christ 272 

The  Gospel 275 

Comfort  against  Death - 276 

God  to  be  Praised  in  Reconciliation 277 

John  Buntan : 

On  Prayer 279 

Grace  of  Christ 280 

Christ  made  Sin  for  us 281 

Coming  to  God  by  Christ - 282 

Christ's  Intercession ■  — 282 

Giving  Glory  to  Christ - 283 

Church  Fellowship ' 284 

Gi'ace 285 

The  Pilgrims  Entering  the  Celestial  City 285 

Last  Words  of  Mr.  Standfast 287 

Comfort  in  Christ's  Intercession 288 

The  New  Song  in  Glory 289 

John  Tillotson,  D.  D.: 

Eternal  Happiness 291 

Glorified  Bodies  of  the  Righteous 293 

Earthly  and  Heavenly  Joys 294 

Resurrection  of  Christ 295 

Excellency  of  Heavenly  Things 296 

Isaac  Baerow,  D.  D.  : 

Duty  of  Thanksgiving 298 

Imitation  of  Christ 300 

Consolation  in  Aflliction 302 

Our  Life 303 


CONTENTS.  23 

Incarnation  of  Christ - - 305 

The  Great  Physician 306 

Resurrection  of  Christ 307 

Our  Saviour's  Ascension  and  Glorification 308 

The  Life  Everlasting 310 

John  Howe,  M.  A.: 

Anticipation  of  the  Joys  of  Heaven 312 

HumiUty *- - 314: 

The  Righteous  willing  to  Die 315 

Christian  Hope --- - 317 

Meditation  on  Heavenly  Things 319 

The  Saint's  Delight  in  God 321 

Live  with  Eternity  in  View - 327 

EzEKiEL  Hopkins,  D.  D.  : 

The  Christian's  Joy 328 

Inconstancy  of  Earthly  Enjoj-ments 329 

Pardon  of  Sin 329 

Grace  Opposing  Sin 331 

Heavenly  Rest 331 

Heavenly  Hope 331 

The  Work  of  Grace  and  Sanctification -  -  332 

Comfort  in  the  Death  of  Pious  Friends 333 

Thoilvs  Ken,  D.  D.: 

A  Prayer  for  Spiritualized  Affections 335 

On  Communion  T\dth  God - 336 

On  the  Love  of  the  Saviour 337 

On  the  Joys  of  Heaven  --- 337 

A  Prayer  for  One  in  Affliction - - 338 

The  Righteous  Eternally  Secure 340 

Thomas  Comber,  D.  D.  : 

Meditations  on  the  Lord's  Supper,     I. 34:1 

a  <«  <'  "  II. 342 

«  <«  <<  '<  ni. 343 

Benjamin  Jenks: 

A  Morning  Prayer 344 

An  Evening  Prayer 346 

A  Prayer  on  Going  Abroad 348 

A  Prayer  for  Faith  and  Trust  in  God 349 

A  Prayer  for  Increase  of  Grace - 3o0 

A  Prayer  for  God's  Gracious  Presence 351 

A  Prayer  on  Preparation  for  Death 352 

Matthew  Henky: 

Pleasui'es  of  Communion  with  God 355 

Exercise  of  Holy  Joy  and  Praise p56 

Meditations  on  the  Heavenly  Rest  357 

The  Bible 3o9 

Pious  Ejaculations ^'l^ 

A  Life  of  Communion  with  God 360 

The  Soul's  Triumph  over  Death 360 

Divine  Knowledge 361 

A  Sacramental  Petition 30L 

Thomas  Wilson,  D.  D.: 

Afflictions ^f^ 

The  Saviour's  Patience ^Jj* 

A  Prayer  for  Submission  of  Spirit .^V* 

A  Morning  Prayer "f^^. 

An  Evening  Prayer "^"' 

Isaac  Watts,  D.  D.: 

Holy  Breathing ^!?|^ 

Holy  Fortitude **"• 


24  CONTENTS. 

Fly  to  the  Mercy  Seat 372 

Uucertaiuty  of  Life 372 

Awake  to  God 373 

Heavenly  Rest - 375 

No  Sorrow  in  Heaven 376 

Our  Pious  Departed  Friends -•-  377 

The  Lord's  Supper - 379 

The  End  of  Time - 380 

No  Pain  among  the  Blessed 380 

No  Night  in  Heaven -• 381 

Joy  at  the  Resurrection 383 

Death  of  a  Pioixs  Youth ' 385 

Death  of  Christian  Relatives 385 

The  BeUever 's  Possessions - 388 

The  Christian's  Hidden  Life  in  Heaven- 389 

All-sufficiency  of  God 390 

Thoivlvs  Adam: 

The  Man  of  Prayer 392 

Pravers,      L 393 

^'  IL 393 

in. •- 394: 

IV. 395 

Philip  Doddeldge,  D.  D.  : 

Praising  the  Lord - 396 

The  Water  of  Life - 397 

A  Devout  Meditation 398 

Our  Great  Intercessor - 3  9 

A  Prayer  for  Gospel  Blessings 401 

My  Father's  House 4:02 

Heaven  our  Home 402 

Death  to  the  BeUever - 404 

A  Prayer  on  Committing  the  Soul  to  Jesus 404 

Safe  in  Jesus 405 

Advice  to  the  Afflicted - 405 

Mutual  Joy  of  Christ  and  BeUevers  in  Heaven 406 

A  Model  of  Devotion  for  the  Evening - 408 

Salvation  Near 409 

Jonathan  Edwabd8,  A.  M. : 

On  Reli  gious  Affections 41] 

The  Saint's  Love  to  God 412 

Christ's  Invitations - 413 

Spiritual  Light - 416 

Pardon  for  the  Greatest  Sinner 418 

Attractions  in  the  Saviour 420 

Our  Journey  towards  Heaven -- 423 

John  Wesley,  A.  M. : 

Religion  in  the  Heart - 425 

Walking  by  Faith 426 

Our  Redemption  Near 427 

Second  Coming  of  Christ - 428 

Felicity  of  Heaven 429 

The  Poor  in  Spirit 430 

William  Rom-une,  A.  M. : 

Pri\dleges  of  Prayer 431 

Prayers,    I. 432 

IL 433 

Praise  and  Prayer 435 

Institution  and  Benefits  of  the  Lord's  Supper 436 

The  Full  Vision  and  Enjoyment  of  Christ 437 

Robert  Walker  : 
On  Prayer 439 


CONTENTS.  25 

The  Believing  Soul's  Address  to  Christ - 439 

The  Heavy  Laden  Invited  to  Christ - 44^ 

Crrace "442 

Resignation  to  the  Divine  Will 440 

Christ's  Presence  with  Believers  at  Death  443 

Samuel  Da  vies,  A.  M. : 

Excellency  of  the  Divine  Being 445 

Love  of  God  in  the  Gift  of  His  Son 44(5 

The  Saint's  Hapi)iness  at  the  Judgment  Day 447 

The  Preciousness  of  Christ • 448 

Christ  the  only  Foundation - 44;) 

The  Saviour  in  His  Exaltation --- 450 

Hope  of  the  Righteous  in  Death 451 

Hope  of  a  Happy  Immortality 453 

Christ  Precious  in  His  Instructions 453 

Eternity 455 

John  Newton: 

Trials 456 

Devotion  to  Christ 45(; 

The  Believer  Safe 457 

Assurance - 453 

The  Christian  Soldier 453 

Happy  State  of  the  Believer- 459 

Intercourse  with  Heaven 459 

Pi'ayer  and  Reading  the  Scriptures - 4r.l 

Faith's  View  of  Christ  Crucified 401 

The  Sabbath  an  Earnest  of  Heaven  - 4G2 

Divine  Guidance 463 

Blessed  Fruits  of  Affliction 463 

Thomas  Scott,  D.  D.  : 

Morning  Praj'ers  for  a  Family,    I.---   -- 465 

II. - 4C,H 

A  Family  Prayer  for  Saturday  Evening ■. 47I 

John  Logan,  F.  R.  S.  : 

The  Message  which  Jesus  Brings--     475 

The  Christian's  Victory  over  Death 477 

Passing  Away - - 480 

Timothy  Dwight,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.  : 

The  Blessings  to  which  the  Saviour  invites  ua 481 

Without  an  Interest  in  Christ  • 482 

The  Love  of  Christ -  -  - 483 

The  Saviour's  Goodness  to  the  Believer - 484 

The  Sinner  Invited  to  Return  to  God 485 

Advantages  of  AiHiction 486 

Consolation  for  the  Afflicted 487 

The  Desire  of  Immortality 488 

Blessings  of  Prayer 489 

On  Prayer  for  Revivals  of  Religion 490 

Heaven  our  Home ---  491 

Heaven  in  View 492 

Our  Father's  House 492 

Heaven  and  Earth  Compared --  493 

Christ  the  Light  of  Heaven - 494 

Andrew  Fuller: 

Life  of  Faith 495 

Christ  Crucified - 49« 

Progressive  Character  of  Heavenly  Bliss - 497 

Blessedness  of  Heaven 498 

Robert  Hall,  A.  M. : 

Reunion  of  Good  Men  in  Heaven 500 

Friendship  Founded  on  Religion COl 

2 


26  CONTENTS. 

How  a  Minister  shonld  Preacli 502 

The  Pursuit  of  Salvation  - ■--.  502 

Funeral  Obsequies  of  a  Lost  Soul 503 

A  Penitent  on  liis  Knees - 50i 

Preparation  for  Judgment  and  Eternity 504 

The  Lamb  of  God - - 505 

The  Eye  of  Faith 506 

The  Divine  Promises 50G 

Continual  Virtue  of  Christ's  Blood  --- 507 

Importance  of  the  Christian  Ministry - - 508 

Salvation  to  the  Uttermost - - 509 

Gratitude  to  the  Saviour r 510 

Come  to  the  Saviour  Now 511 

A  Prayer 511 

John  M.  Mason,  D.  D.  : 

Redemption  tkrough  the  Blood  of  Christ 514 

Death  to  a  Child  of  God 515 

Blessed  Effects  of  the  Gospel 516 

Forgiveness  of  Sins  Final 516 

Contemplation  of  the  Love  of  Christ 517 

Our  Duty  and  Happiness 518 

Thomas  Chalmers,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.  : 

Choose  Christ 519 

Human  Life  Perishable - 520 

Hope  of  Immortality 521 

Come  to  Christ 522 

Death  WiU  Come 523 

A  Christian's  Love  for  the  Sabbath 524 

Our  Great  High  Priest 525 

Omnipresence  of  God 526 

Irayers,    L 527 

IL  --- 528 

Reginald  Heber,  D.  D.  : 

Life  like  a  River 529 

Heaven  and  Earth - 530 

Christ  is  Ours 530 

Fear  of  Death  Removed 530 

Our  SalvationjDf  Grace - 531 

Hymn  Before  the  Sacrament  - 532 

Edward  Bickersteth  : 

Meditations  and  Prayers  on  the  Lord's  Supper,     I. 533 

IL 534 

"     "     "     "    III. 536 

"  "     «     "     "    IV. 53& 

V. -"•- 537 

"  "     "     "     "    VI. 538 

WiLLLiJM  Nevins,  D.  D.  : 

Heaven 539 

Heaven's  Attractions - 540 

The  Saint  near  to  Heaven -  - 545 

Christ's  Love  and  that  of  the  Christian .- 545 

Sympathy  of  Christ  for  the  Believer 546 

WiLLLVM  Jay: 

The  Bible - - 547 

Death  of  Christian  Friends - 548 

On  Prayer 549 

A  Family  Prayer  for  the  Morning  -  - 550 

A  Family  Praj'er  for  the  Evening 553 

A  Family  Prayer  for  Sabbath  Morning 556 

A  Family  Prayer  for  Saljbath  Evening 559 


DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 


JOSEPH  HALL,  D.  D. 
1574-1656. 

The  Sayiour  in  Gethsemane. 

Y  soul  is  exceeding  sorroivfid,  even  unto 
death.  Matt.  xxvi.  38.  What  was  it,  what 
could  it  be,  0  Saviour,  that  lay  thus  heavy 
upon  Thy  Divine  Soul  ?  Was  it  the  fear 
5/)  "^  of  death?  Was  it  the  f  orefelt  pain,  shame, 
torment  of  Thine  ensuing  crucifixion?  O  poor  and 
base  thoughts  of  the  narrow  hearts  of  cowardly  and 
impotent  mortality!  How  mau}^  thousands  of  Thy 
blessed  martyrs  have  welcomed  no  less  tortures, 
with  smiles  and  gratulations;  and  have  made  a 
sport  of  those  exquisite  cruelties,  wdiich  their  very 
tyrants  thought  unsufierable!  Whence  had  they 
this  strength  but  from  Thee?  If  their  weakness 
were  thus  undaunted  and  prevalent,  what  was  Thy 
power?  No,  no;  ijt  was  the  sad  weight  of  the 
sin  of  mankind;   it  was  the  heavy  burden  of  Thy 


28  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Father's  wrath  for  our  sin,  that  thus  pressed  Thy 
soul,  and  wrung  from  Thee  these  bitter  expressions. 

What  can  it  avail  Thee,  O  Saviour,  to  tell  Thy 
grief  to  men?  Who  can  case  Thee,  but  He  of  whom 
thou  saidst.  My  Father  is  greater  than  19  Lo,  to 
Him  Thou  turnest;  0  Father^  if  it  he  possible,  let 
t/iis  cup  pass  from  me. 

While  Thy  mind  was  in  this  fearful  agitation,  it 
is  no  marvel,  if  Thy  feet  were  not  fixed.  Th}^  place 
is  more  changed  than  Thy  thoughts.  One  while, 
Thou  walkest  to  Thy  drowsy  attendants,  and  stirrest 
Dp  their  needful  vigilancy;  then  Thou  returnest  to 
Thy  passionate  devotions.  Thou  fallest  again  upon 
Thy  face. 

If  Thy  body  be  humbled  down  to  the  earth.  Thy 
soul  is  yet  lower;  Thy  prayers  are  so  much  more 
vehement,  as  Thy  pangs  are:  And  being  in  an 
agony,  He  prayed  more  earnestly,  and  His  sweat 
ivas  as  it  ivere  great  drops  of  blood  falling  down  to 
the  ground, 

O  my  Saviour,  what  an  agony  I  am  in,  while  I 
think  of  Thine!  What  pain,  what  fear,  what  strife, 
what  horror  was  in  Thy  sacred  Breast!  How  didst 
Thou  struo'frlc  under  the  wei^'ht  of  our  sins,  that 

CO  o  ' 

Thou  thus  sweatest,  that  Thou  thus  bleedest!  All 
was  peace  with  Thee:  Thou  wcrt  one  with  Thy  co- 
eternal  and  co-essential  Father;  all  the  angels  wor- 
shiped Thee;  all  the  powers  of  heaven  and  earth 
awfully  acknowledged  Thine  infiniteness.  It  was  our 
l^erson  that  fcoffed  Thee  in  this  misery  and  torment: 
in  that.  Thou  sustainedst  Thy  Father's  wrath  and  our 


JOSEPH  HALL.  2D 

curse.  If  eternal  death  be  unsufFerable,  if  every  sin 
deserve  eternal  death,  what,  Oh!  what  was  it  for 
Thy  soul,  in  this  short  time  of  Thy  bitter  passion, 
to  answer  those  millions  of  eternal  deaths,  which 
all  the  sins  of  all  mankind  had  deserved  from  the 
just  hand  of  Thy  Godhead?  I  marvel  not,  if  Thou 
bleedest  a  sweat,  if  Thou  sweatest  blood.  If  the 
moisture  of  that  sweat  be  from  the  body,  the  tinc- 
ture of  it  is  from  the  soul.  As  there  never  was  such 
another  sweat,  so  neither  can  there  be  ever  such  a 
sufferino:.  It  is  no  wonder,  if  the  sweat  were  more 
than  natural,  when  the  suffering  was  more  than 
human.  O  Saviour,  so  willing  was  that  precious 
blood  of  Thine  to  be  let  forth  for  us,  that  it  was 
ready  to  prevent  Thy  persecutors;  and  issued  forth 
in  those  pores,  before  Thy  wounds  were  opened  by 
Thy  tormenters.  Oh  that  my  heart  could  bleed 
unto  Thee,  with  true  inward  compunction  for  those 
sins  of  mine,  which  are  guilty  of  this  Thine  agony; 
and  have  drawn  blood  of  Thee,  both  in  the  garden 
and  on  the  cross.  Woe  is  me:  I  had  been  in  hell, 
if  Thou  hadst  not  been  in  Thine  agony;  I  had 
scorched,  if  Thou  hadst  not  sweat.  Oh  let  me  ab- 
hor my  own  wickedness,  and  admire  and  bless  Thy 
mercy. 

But,  O  ye  blessed  spirits,  which  came  to  comfort 
my  conflicted  Saviour,  how  did  ye  look  upon  the 
Son  of  God,  when  ye  saw  Him  laboring  for  life 
under  these  violent  temptations!  With  Avhat  aston- 
ishment, did  ye  behold  Ilim  bleeding  whom  yc 
adored!     In   the  AVilderness,   after  His    duel  with 


30  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Satan,  ye  came  and  ministered  unto  Him;  and  now 
in  the  Garden,  wliile  He  is  in  a  harder  combat,  ye 
appear  to  strengthen  Him.     O  the  wise  and  marvel- 
ous   dispensation    of   the  Ahnighty!     Whom  God 
will  afflict,   an  angel  shall  relieve;    the   Son  shall 
suffer,  the  servant  shall  comfort  Him;  the  God  of 
angels  droopeth,  the  angel  of  God  strengthens  Him. 
Blessed  Jesus,  if  as  man  Thou  wouldst  be  made  a 
little  loiver  than  the  angels,  how  can  it  disparage 
Thee  to  be  attended  and  cheered  up  by  an  angel? 
Thine  humiliation  would  not  disdain  comfort  from 
meaner  hands.     How  free  was  it  for  Thy  Father,  to 
convey  seasonable    consolations  to  Thine  humbled 
soul,  by  whatsoever  means!     Behold,  though  Thy 
cup  shall  not  pass,  yet  it  shall  be  sweetened.    What 
if  Thou  see  not,  for  the  time,  Thy  Father's  face? 
yet.  Thou  shalt  feel  His  hand.     What  could  that 
spirit  have  done,  without  the  God  of  Spirits?'     O 
Father  of  Mercies,  Thou  mayest  bring  Thine  into 
a<ronies,  but  Thou  wilt  never  leave  them  there.     In 
the  midst  of  the  sorroics  of  my  heart,  Thy  comforts 
shall  refresh  my  soul.    Whatsoever  be  the  means  of 
my  supportation,  I  know  and  adore  the  Author. 

Christ  tiie  Smitten  Rock. 

BEHOLD  the  Rock,  which  was  smitten,  and  the 
waters  of  life  gushed  forth.  Behold  the  foun- 
tain, that  is  set  ojpen  to  the  house  of  David,  for  sin 
and  for  uncleanness:  a  fountain,  not  of  water  only, 
but  of  blood  too.  O  Saviour,  b}^  Thy  water  we  arc 
Avashed;  by  Thy  blood  we  arc  redeemed.     Those 


JOSEPH    HALL.  31 

two  sacraments,  Avhicli  Thou  didst  institute  alive, 
flow  also  from  Thee  dead,  as  the  last  memorials  of 
Thy  love  to  Thy  Church:  the  water  of  baptism;  the 
blood  of  the  N'ew  Testament  shed  for  remission  of 
sins:  and  these,  together  with  the  Spirit  that  gives 
life  to  them  both,  are  the  three  witnesses  on  earth, 
whose  attestation  cannot  fail  us.  O  precious  and 
sovereign  wound,  by  Avhich  our  souls  are  healed! 
Into  this  cleft  of  the  Eock,  let  my  Dove  fly  and 
enter;  and  there  safely  hide  herself  from  the  talons 
of  all  the  birds  of  prey.* 

Blessedness  of  Salvation. 

DAVID  saith,  OJt  taste,  and  see  hoiv  sweet  the 
Lord  is.  In  meditation  we  do  both  see  and 
taste;  but  we  see  before  we  taste:  sight,  is  of  the 
understanding;  taste,  of  the  affection:  neither  can 
we  see,  but  we  must  taste,  we  cannot  know  aright, 
but  we  must  needs  be  affected.  Let  the  heart, 
therefore,  first  conceive  and  feel  in  itself  the  sweet- 
ness or  bitterness  of  the  matter  meditated:  which  is 
never  done,  without  some  passion;  nor  expressed, 
without  some  hearty  exclamation. 

'O  blessed  estate  of  the  saints  I  O  glory  not  to 
be  expressed,  even  by  those  which  are  glorified!  O 
incomprehensible  salvation!  What  savour  hath  this 
earth  to  thee?     Who   can    regard  the   world,   that 

*  What  Christian  that  reads  these  solemn  and  impressive  words, 
does  not  think  of  the  tender  and  beautiful  lines  of  Toplady, — 

'  Rock  of  Ages!  cleft  for  me' ! 


32  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

believetli  Thee?  Who  can  think  of  Thee,  and  not 
be  ravished  with  wonder  and  desire?  Who  can 
hope  for  Thee,  and  not  rejoice?  Who  can  know 
Thee,  and  not  be  swallowed  np  with  admiration  at 
the  mercy  of  Him  that  bestoweth  Thee?  O  bless- 
edness, worthy  of  Christ's  blood  to  purchase  Thee! 
worthy  of  the  continual  songs  of  Saints  and  Angels 
to  celebrate  Thee!  How  should  I  magnify  Thee! 
How  should  I  long  for  Thee!  How  should  I  hate 
all  this  world  for  Thee! 

Meditation  on  Death. 

HE,  that  is  the  Lord  of  Life,  and  tried  what 
it  was  to  die,  hath  proclaimed  them  blessed 
that  die  in  the  Lord.  Those  are  blessed,  I  know, 
that  live  in  Him;  but  they  rest  not  from  their  labors: 
toil,  and  sorrow,  is  between  them  and  a  perfect 
enjoying  of  that  blessedness,  which  they  now  pos- 
sess only  in  hope  and  inchoation:  when  death  hath 
added  rest,  their  happiness  is  finished. 

O  death,  how  sweet  is  that  rest,  wherewith  thou 
refreshcst  the  weary  pilgrims  of  this  vale  of  mor- 
tality! How  pleasant  is  thy  face  to  those  eyes,  that 
have  acquainted  themselves  with  the  sight  of  it, 
which  to  strangers  is  grim  and  ghastly!  How  wor- 
thy art  thou  to  be  welcome,  unto  those,  that  know 
whence  thou  art,  and  whither  thou  tendest!  Who 
that  knows  thee,  can  fear  thee?  Who,  that  is  not 
all  nature,  would  rather  hide  himself  amongst  the 
baggage  of  this  vile  life,  than  follow  thee  to  a 
crown?     What  indifferent  judge,   that  should  see 


JOSEni   HALL.  33 

life  painted  over  with  vain  semblances  of  pleasures, 
attended  with  troops  of  sorrows  on  the  one  side, 
and  on  the  other  with  uncertainty  of  continuance 
and  certainty  of  dissolution;  and  then  should  turn 
his  eyes  unto  death,  and  see  her  black,  but  comely, 
attended  on  the  one  hand  with  a  momentary  pain, 
with  eternity  of  glory  on  the  other,  would  not  say, 
out  of  choice,  that  which  the  prophet  said  out  of 
passion.  It  is  better  for  me  to  die  than  to  live? 

But,  O  my  soul,  what  ails  thee  to  be  thus  suddenly 
backward  and  fearful?  No  heart  hath  more  freely 
discoursed  of  death,  in  speculation:  no  tongue  hath 
more  extolled  it,  hi  absence.  And  now,  that  it  is 
come  to  thy  bed's  side,  and  hath  drawn  thy  curtains, 
and  takes  thee  by  the  hand,  and  offers  thee  service, 
thou  shrinkest  inward;  and,  by  the  paleness  of  thy 
face  and  wildness  of  thine  c^^e  bewray  est  an  amaze- 
ment at  the  presence  of  such  a  guest.  That  fiice, 
which  was  so  familiar  to  thv  thouo-hts,  is  now  un- 
welcome  to  thine  eyes.  I  am  ashamed  of  this  weak 
irresolution.  Whitherto  have  tended  all  thy  serious 
meditations?  What  hath  Christianity  done  to  thee, 
if  thy  fears  be  still  heathenish?  Is  this  thine  imi- 
tation of  so  many  worthy  saints  of  God,  Avhoni 
thou  hast  seen  entertain  the  violentest  deaths  Avitli 
smiles  and  songs?  Is  this  the  fruit  of  thy  long  and 
frequent  instruction?  Didst  thou  think  death  would 
have  been  content  with  words?  didst  thou  hope  it 
would  suffice  thee  to  talk,  while  all  others  sutler? 
Where  is  thy  faith?  Yea,  Avhere  art  thou  th}'- 
self,   O  my  soul?     Is   heaven    worthy  of  no    more 

2* 


34  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

thanks;  no  more  joy?  Shall  heretics,  shall  pagans 
<2:ive  death  a  better  welcome  than  thon?  Hath 
thy  Maker,  thy  Redeemer  sent  for  thee;  and 
art  thou  loth  to  go?  hath  He  sent  for  thee  to  put 
thee  in  possession  of  that  glorious  inheritance,  which 
thy  wardship  hath  cheerfully  expected;  and  art 
thou  loth  to  go?  Hath  God,  with  this  sergeant  of 
His.,  sent  His  angels  to  fetch  thee;  and  art  thou  loth 
to  go?  Rouse  up  thyself  for  shame,  O  my  soul; 
and,  if  ever  thou  hast  truly  believed,  shake  off 
this  unchristian  diffidence;  and  address  thyself  joy- 
fully for  thy  glory. 

Yea,  O  my  Lord,  it  is  Thou,  that  must  raise  up 
this  faint  and  drooping  heart  of  mine:  Thou  only 
canst  rid  me  of  this  weak  and  cowardly  distrust: 
Thou  that  sendest  for  my  soul,  canst  prepare  it  for 
Thyself:  Thou  only  canst  make  Thy  messenger  wel- 
come to  me.  Oh,  that  I  could  but  see  Thy  face 
through  death!  Oh,  that  I  could  see  death,  not  as 
it  was,  but  as  Thou  hast  made  it!  Oh,  that  I  could 
heartily  pledge  Thee,  my  Saviour,  in  this  cup;  that 
so  I  might  drink  new  wine  with  Thee,  in  Thy 
Father's  kins^dom! 

But  alas,  O  my  God,  nature  is  strong  and  weak  in 
me,  at  once!  I  cannot  wish  to  welcome  death,  as  it 
is  worthy:  when  I  look  for  most  courage,  I  find 
strongest  temptations:  I  sec  and  confess,  that  when 
I  am  myself.  Thou  hast  no  such  coward  as  I.  Let 
me  alone,  and  I  shall  shame  that,  name  of  Thine, 
which  I  have  professed:  every  secure  w^rdliug 
shall  laugh  at  my  feebleness.     O  God,  were  Thy 


JOSEni    HALL.  35 

martyrs  thus  haled  to  their  stakes?  might  they  not 
have  been  loosed  from  their  racks,  and  choose  to 
die  in  those  torments?  Let  it  be  no  shame,  for 
Thy  servant  to  take  up  that  complaint,  Avhich  Thou 
madest  of  Thy  better  attendants:  The  spirit  is  ivil- 
ling  hut  tJie  flesh  is  loeah. 

O  Thou  God  of  spirits,  that  hast  coupled  these 
two  together,  unite  them  in  a  desire  of  their  disso- 
lution: weaken  this  flesh  to  receive,  and  encourage 
this  spirit  either  to  desire  or  to  contemn  death;  and 
now,  as  I  grow  nearer  to  my  home,  let  me  increase 
in  the  sense  of  my  jo3^s.  I  am  Thine,  save  me,  O 
Lord.  It  was  Thou  that  didst  put  such  courage 
into  Thine  ancient  and  late  witnesses,  that  they 
either  invited  or  challenged  death;  and  held  their 
persecutors  their  best  friends,  for  letting  them  loose 
from  these  gives  of  flesh.  I  know  Thy  hand  is 
not  shortened;  neither  any  of  them  hath  received 
more  proofs  of  Th}^  former  mercies.  Oh,  let  Thy 
goodness  enable  me  to  reach  them,  in  the  comforta- 
ble steadiness  of  my  passage.  Do  but  draw  this 
veil  a  little,  that  I  may  see  my  glory;  and  I  cannot 
but  be  enflamed  with  the  desire  of  it.  It  was  not  I, 
that  either  made  this  body  for  the  earth,  or  this 
soul  for  my  body,  or  this  heaven  for  my  soul,  or 
this  glory  of  heaven,  or  this  entrance  into  ghn-y: 
all  is  Thine  own  work.  Oh,  perfect  what  Thou  hast 
])egun;  that  Thy  praise  and  my  happiness  may  be 
consummate  at  once. 

Yea,  O  my  soul,  Avhat  needcst  thou  Avish  the  God 
of  Mercies  to   be  tender  of  His  own  honor?     Art 


36  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

thon  not  a  member  of  that  body,  whereof  Thy 
Saviour  is  the  Head?  Canst  thou  drown,  wdien 
thy  Head  is  above?  Was  it  not  for  thee  that  He 
triumphed  over  death?  Is  there  any  fear  in  a 
foiled  adversary?  O  my  Redeemer,  I  have  already 
overcome  in  Thee:  how  can  I  miscarry  in  myself? 
O  my  soul,  thou  hast  marched  valiantly!  Behold, 
the  damsels  of  that  Heavenly  Jerusalem  come  forth 
with  timbrels  and  harps  to  meet  thee,  and  to  ap- 
plaud thy  success:  and  now,  there  remains  nothing 
for  thee  but  a  croivn  of  righteousness^  xMcli  that 
righteous  Judge  shall  give  thee,  at  that  day:  0  death, 
vjhere  is  thy  sting?  0  grave,  ivhere  is  thy  victory? 
Return  notv  imto  thy  rest,  0  my  soul;  for  the 
Lord  hath  been  beneficial  unto  thee.  0  Lord  God, 
the  strength  of  my  salvation.  Thou  hast  covered  my 
head  in  the  day  of  battle:  0  my  God  and  IBng,  1 
will  extol  Thee,  and  idll  bless  Thy  name  for  ever 
and  ever.  I  will  bless  Thee  daily,  and  praise  Thy 
Name  for  ever  and  ever.  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  most 
worthy  to  be  praised,  and  His  greatness  is  incompre- 
hensible: L  vnll  meditate  of  the  beauty  of  T.hy  glori- 
ous Majesty,  and  thy  wonderful  loorJis:  Hoso.nna, 
Thou  that  dwellest  in  the  highest  heavens.     Amen. 

The  Divine  Mercy  in  Redemption. 

GREAT  is  Thy  mercy,  that  Thou  may  est  be 
feared,  saith  the  sweet  singer  of  Israel.  Lo, 
power  doth  not  more  command  this  holy  fear,  than 
mercy  doth;  though  both  here  meet  together:  for 
as  tbere  was  infinite  mercy  mixed  with  power,  in 


JOSEPH   HALL.  37 

thus   creating  us;  so  also,  there  is  a  no  less  mio-hty 
power  mixed  with  infinite  mercy,  in  our  redemption. 
What  heart  can  but  awfully  adore  Thy  sovereioii 
mercy,    O   Blessed   God,    the   Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  sending  Thine  only  and  coequal  Son, 
the    Son  of  Thy  love,    the    Son  of  Thine    eternal 
essence,  out  of  Thy  bosom,   down  from  the  height 
of  celestial  glory,  into  this  vale  of  tears  and  death, 
to  abase  Himself,  in  the  susception  of  our  nature;  to 
clothe  Himself  with  the  rags  of  our  humanity;  to 
endure  temptation,  shame,   death,  for  us?     O  Bfes- 
sed  Jesus,  the  Redeemer  of  Mankind,  what  soul  can 
be  capable  of  a  sufficient  adoration  of  Thine  incon- 
ceivable mercy,  in  Thy  mean  and  despicable  incar- 
nation; in  Thy  miserable  and  toilsome  life;  in  Thy 
bloody  agony;  in  Thine  ignominious  and  tormenting 
passion;  in  Thy  woeful  sense  of  Thy  Father's  wrath, 
in  our  stead;   and  lastly,  in  Thy  bitter  and  painful 
death?  Thou,  that  knewest  no  sin,  wert  made  sin  for 
us:   Thou  that  art  Omnipotent,  wonkiest  die;  and, 
by  Thy  death,  hast  victoriously  triumphed  over  death 
and  hell.     It  is  enough,  O  Saviour,  it  is  more  than 
enough  to  ravish  our  hearts  with  love,  and  to  bruise 
them  with  a  loving  fear.     O  Blessed  Spirit,  the  God 
of  Comfort,  who  but  Thou  only,  can  make  our  .souls 
sensible  of  Thy  unspeakable  mercy,  in  applying  to 
us  the  wonderful  benefit  of  this  our  dear  redemp- 
tion; in  the  great  work  of  our  inchoate  regeneration; 
in  the  mortifying  of  our  evil  and  corrupt  aflections; 
in  raising  us  to  the  life  of  grace,  and  preparing  us 
for  the  life  of  glor}^?     O  God,  if  mercy  be  proper  to 


38  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

attract  fear,  liow  must  our  hearts,  in  all  these  re- 
spects, needs  be  filled  with  an  awful  regard  unto 
Thy  divine  bountyl  0/^,  Jioio  great  is  the  goodness, 
that  Thou  hast  laid  up  for  those  that  fear  Thee^  even 
before  the  sons  of  men!     Psalm  xxxi.  20. 

Pardon  for  the  most  Guilty. 

HEAR  this  then,  thou  drooping  soul:  thou  art 
dismayed  with  the  heinousness  of  thy  sins,  and 
the  sense  of  God's  anger  for  them;   dost  thou  know 
with  whom  thou  hast  to  do?  hast  thou  heard  Him 
proclaim   His    own   style  ?     The    Lord,    the   Lord 
merciful  and  gracious;  long-suffering  and  abundant 
in  goodness  and  truth;  keeping  mercy  for  thousands; 
forgiving  iniquities,  and  transgressions,  and   sins: 
Exod.  xxxiv.  6,  7;  and  canst  thou  distrust  that  infi- 
nite  goodness?     Lo,    if    there    were   no   mercy  in 
heaven,    thou   couldst    not   be    otherwise    affected. 
Look  up  and   see  that   glorious  light,   that  shines 
about  thee:   With  the  Lord  there  is  mercy,  and  with 
Him  is  plenteous  redemption:  Psalm  cxxx.  7.     And 
is  there  plenteous  redemption  for  all,  and  Jione  for 
thee?     Because  thou  hast  wronged  God  in  His  just- 
ice, wilt  thou  more  wrong  Him  in  His  mercy?  and, 
because  thou  hast  wronged  Him  in  both,  wdlt  thou 
wrong  thyself  in  Him?     Know,  O  thou  weak  man, 
in  what  hands  thou  art.     He  that  said,  Tliy  mercy, 
O   Lord,  is  in   the  heavens,  and  Thy  faithfulness 
reachethunto  the  clouds:  Psalm  xxxvi.  5:  said  also, 
21iy  mercy  is  great  above  the  heavens,  and  Thy  truth 
reachethunto  the  clouds:  Psalm  cviii.  4.     It  is  a  sure 


JOSEril   HALL.  39 

comfort  to  tlicc,  that  He  cannot  fail  in  His  faithful- 
ness and  truth.  Thou  art  upon  earth,  and  these 
reach  above  thee  to  the  clouds;  but  if  thy  sins 
could  be  so  great  and  high,  as  to  over-look  the 
clouds,  yet  His  mercy  is  beyond  them,  for  it  reach- 
eth  unto  heaven:  and,  if  they  could,  in  a  hellish  pre- 
sumption, reach  so  high  as  heaven;  yet  His  mercy  is 
great  above  the  heavens;  higher  than  this  they  can- 
not. If  now  thy  heinous  sins  could  sink  thee  to  the 
bottom  of  hell,  yet  that  mercy,  which  is  above  the 
heavens,  can  fetch  thee  up  again. 

Thou  art  a  grievous  sinner:  we  know  one,  that 
said  he  was  the  chief  of  sinners^  who  is  now  one  of 
the  prime  saints  in  heaven.  Look  upon  those,  whom 
thou  must  confess  worse  than  thyself  Cast  back 
thine  eyes  but  upon  Manasseh,  the  lewd  son  of  a 
holy  parent:  see  him,  rearing  up  altars  to  Baal; 
worshipping  all  the  host  of  heaven;  building  altars 
for  his  new  gods  in  the  very  courts  of  the  house  of 
the  Lord;  causing  his  sons  to  pass  through  the  fire; 
trading  with  witches  and  wicked  spirits;  seducing 
God's  people  to  more  than  Amoritish  wickedness;* 
fiUino^  the  streets  of  Jerusalem  with  innocent  blood: 
2  Kings  xxi.  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  9,  11,  16:  say  if  thy  sin 
can  be  thus  crimson;  yet,  behold  this  man  a  no  less 
famous  example  of  mercy  than  wickedness:  and 
what?  Is  the  hand  of  God  shortened,  that  lie  cannot 
noiD  save?  Or,  hath  the  Lord  cast  off  for  ever?  and 
ivlll  lie  he  favorable  no  more?  Is  His  mercij  clean 
gone  for  ever?  hath  God  forgotten  to  be  gracious? 
hath  lie  in  anger  shut  up  His  tender  mercies?  Psalm 


40  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Ixxvii.  7 — 10.  O  man,  say  justly,  JSfo:  TMs  is  mine 
infirmity:  thine  infirmity,  sure  enough;  and  take 
heed,  if  thou  persist  to  distrust,  that  it  be  not  worse. 
These  misprisions*  of  God  are  dangerous.  The 
honor  of  His  mercy  is  justly  dear  to  Him:  no  marvel 
if  He  cannot  endure  it  to  be  questioned.  When  the 
temptation  is  blown  over,  hear  what  the  same  tongue 
says:  The  Lord  is  merciful  and  gracious^  slow  to 
anger,  and  ])lenteous  in  mercy.  He  icill  not  always 
cJdde^  neitJier  ivill  He  he^p  his  anger  for  ever.  He 
hath  not  dealt  icith  us  after  our  sins]  nor  rewarded 
lis  after  our  iniquities:  for^  as  the  heaven  is  high 
above  the  ecaih,  so  greed  is  His  mercy  toicards  them 
that  fear  Him:  Psalm  ciii.  8 — 11.  Oh,  then  lay 
hold  on  the  large  and  illimited  mercy  of  thy  God, 
and  thou  art  safe.  What  cares  the  debtor,  for  the 
length  of  a  bill  that  is  crossed?  what  cares  the  con- 
demned person,  for  the  sentence  of  death,  while  he 
huth  his  pardon  sealed  in  his  bosom? 

Thou  art  a  heinous  sinner:  wherefore  came  thy 
Saviour?  wherefore  suffered  He?  If  thy  sin  remain, 
wherefore  serves  His  blood?  If  thy  debt  be  still 
called  for,  wherefore  was  thine  obliiration  cancelled? 
If  thou  be  still  captive  to  sin  and  death,  wherefore 
Avas  that  dear  ransom  paid?  why  did  He  stretch  forth 
His  blessed  hands  upon  the  cross,  but  to  receive  thee? 
why  did  He  bow  down  His  head,  but  to  invite  thee? 
why  was  His  precious  side  opened,  but  that  He  might 
take  thee  into   His  heart?     Thou   depisest  Him,  if 

*  Mtsprision:  the  act   of  misprizing,  misapprehension;  miscon- 
ception; mistake.     [Obsolete  or  rare.]     Wcbslcr. 


JosErn  HALL.  41 

thou  trustest  Him  not,  Judas  and  thou  shall  sin 
more  in  despairing,  than  in  betraying  Him.  Oh, 
then  gather  heart  to  thyself,  from  the  merits,  from 
the  mercies  of  thine  All-sufficient  Redeemer,  against 
all  thy  sinfulness:  for,  who  is  it,  that  shall  be  once 
thy  Judge?  before  what  tribunal  shalt  thou  appear 
to  receive  thy  sentence?  Is  it  not  thy  Saviour,  that 
sits  there?  He,  that  died  for  thee,  that  He  mioht 
rescue  thee  from  death;  shall  He,  can  He  doom  thee 
to  that  death,  from  which  He  came  to  save  thee? 
Comfort  th^'self  then  with  these  words:  and,  if  thou 
wouldest  keep  thy  soul  in  an  equal  temper,  as  thou 
hast  two  eyes,  fix  the  one  of  them  upon  God's  just- 
ice, to  keep  thee  low  and  humble,  and  to  quit  thee 
from  presumption;  fix  the  other  upon  His  transcend- 
ent mercy,  to  keep  thee  from  the  depth  of  sorrow 
and  desperation. 

The  Fear  of  Death. 

THOU  fearest  death:  is  it  not  that,  thy  Saviour 
underwent  for  thee?  Did  thy  Blessed  Redeem- 
er drink  of  this  cup;  and  art  thou  unwilling  to 
pledge  him?  His  was  a  bitter  one,  in  respect  of 
thine;  for  it  was  besides,  spiced  with  the  wrath  of 
His  Father  due  to  our  sins:  yet  He  drank  it  up  to 
the  very  dregs,  for  thee;  and  wilt  thou  shrink  at  an 
ordinary  draught,  from  His  hand?  And  why  did  He 
yield  to  death,  but  to  overcome  him  ?  WJiy  was 
death  suffered  to  seize  upon  that  Lord  of  Life,  but 
that,  by  dying,  He  might  pull  out  the  sting  of  death? 
The  sting  of  death  is  sin:  1  Cor.  xv.   5G.     So  then, 


42  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

death  has  lost  his  sthig:  now  thou  mayest  carry  it 
in  thy  bosom:  it  may  cool  thee;  it  cannot  hurt  thee. 
Temper  then  thy  fear  with  these  thoughts;  and  that 
thou  mayest  not  be  too  much  troubled  with  the  sight 
of  death,  acquaint  thyself  with  him,  beforehand: 
present  him  to  thy  thoughts;  entertain  him,  in  thy 
holy  and  resolute  discourses. 

Behold  God  as  Keally  Present. 

NEITHER  doth  the   devout  heart  see  his  God 
aloof  off,  as  dwelling  above,  in  the  circle  of 
heaven,  but  beholds  that  infinite  spirit  really 

PRESENT  WITH  HIM. 

The  Lord  is  upon  thy  right  hand:  saith  the  Psalm- 
ist. Our  bodily  eye  doth  not  more  certainly  see  our 
own  flesh,  than  the  spiritual  eye  sees  God,  close  by 
us;  yea,  in  us.  A  man's  own  soul  is  not  so  intimate 
to  himself  as  God  is  to  his  soul:  neither  do  we  move 
by  Him  only,  but  in  Him. 

What  a  sweet  conversation  therefore,  hath  the  holy 
soul  with  his  God!  What  heavenly  conferences 
have  they  two,  which  the  world  is  not  privy  to; 
while  God  entertains  the  soul  with  the  divine  mo- 
tions of  His  Spirit,  the  soul  entertains  God  with  gra- 
cious compliances! 

Is  the  heart  heavy  with  the  grievous  pressures  of 
affliction?  the  soul  goes  in  to  his  God  and  pours 
out  itself  before  Him,  in  earnest  bemoanings  and 
supplications:  the  God  of  Mercy  answers  the  soul 
again  with  seasonable  refreshings  of  comfort. 

Is  the  heart  secretly  wounded  and  bleeding  with 


JOSEPH    HALL.  43 

the  conscience  of  some  sin?  it  speedily  betakes  itself 
to  the  great  Physician  of  the  Soul;  Avho,  forthwith, 
applies  the  balm  of  Gileacl,  for  an  unfailing  and  pre- 
sent cure. 

Is  the  heart  distracted  with  doubts?  the  soul  re- 
tires to  that  inward  oracle  of  God,  for  counsel:  He 
returns  to  the  soul  a  happy  settlement  of  just  reso- 
lution. 

Is  the  heart  deeply  affected  with  the  sense  of 
some  special  favor  from  his  God?  the  soul  breaks 
forth  into  the  passionate  voice  of  praise  and  thanks- 
giving: God  returns  the  pleasing  testimony  of  a 
cheerful  acceptation. 

O  blessed  soul,  that  hath  a  God  to  go  unto,  upon 
fill  occasions!  O  infinite  mercy  of  a  God,  that  vouch- 
safes to  stoop  to  such  entireness  with  dust  and  ashes! 
It  was  a  gracious  speech  of  a  worthy  divine*  upon 
his  death-bed,  now  breathing  towards  heaven:  That 
he  should  change  his  place,  not  his  company.  His 
conversation  was  now,  beforehand,  with  his  God  and 
His  holy  angels:  the  only  difference  was,  that  he 
was  now  going  to  a  more  free  and  full  fruition  of  the 
Lord  of  Life,  in  that  region  of  glory  above;  whom 
he  had  truly,  though  with  weakness  and  imperfec- 
tion, enjoyed  in  this  vale  of  tears. 

Thoughts  of  God  in  the  Devout  Person. 

THERE  is  nothing  that  he  sees  which  doth  not 
BRING  god  to  his  THOUGHTS. 

Indeed,  there  is  no  creature,  Avhercin  there  arc  not 
*  Dr.  Preston. 


44  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

manifest  footsteps  of  Omnipotence;  yea,  which  hath 
not  a  tono^ue  to  tell  us  of  its  Maker.  The  heavens 
declare  the  glory  of  God^  and  the  firmament  sheweth 
His  handy  ivork:  one  day  telleth  another^  and  one 
night  certifieth  another:  Psalm  xix.  1,  2.  Yea,  O 
Lord^  how  manifold  are  Thy  worlds!  in  -wisdom  hast 
Thou  made  them  all.  The  earth  is  full  of  Thy 
riches:  so  is  the  great  and  icide  sea,  ivhere  are  things 
creejnng  innumerahle,  both  small  and  great  beasts: 
Psalm  civ.  24,  2^.  Every  herb,  flower,  spire  of 
grass,  every  twig  and  leaf,  every  worm  and  fly,  every 
scale  and  feather,  every  billow  and  meteor,  speaks 
the  power  and  wisdom  of  their  Infinite  Creator. 
Solomon  sends  the  sluggard  to  the  ant:  Isaiah  sends 
the  Jews  to  the  ox  and  the  ass:  our  Saviour  sends 
His  disciples  to  the  ravens,  and  to  the  lilies  of  ilie 
field.  There  is  no  creature,  of  w^hom  we  may  not 
learn  something.  We  shall  have  spent  our  time  ill 
in  this  great  school  of  the  world,  if,  in  such  store  of 
lessons,  we  be  non-proficients  in  devotion. 

Thoughts  at  the  Communion  Table. 

WHAT  intention  of  holy  thoughts,  what  fervor 
of  spirit,  what  depth  of  devotion,  must  we 
now  find  in  ourselves!  Doubtless,  out  of  heaven,  no 
object  can  be  so  worthy  to  take  up  our  hearts. 

What' a  clear  representation  is  here,  of  the  great 
work  of  our  redemption!  How  is  my  Saviour,  by 
all  my  senses,  here  brought  home  to  my  soul!  How 
is  His  passion  lively  acted  before  mine  eyes!  for  lo, 
my  bodily  eye  doth  not  more  truly  sec  bread  and 


JOSEPH   HALL.  45 

wine,  than  the  eye  of  my  faith  sees  the  body  and 
blood  of  my  Dear  Redeemer:  thus  was  His  sacred 
body  torn  and  l)roken:  thus  w^as  His  precious  blood 
poured  out  for  me.  My  sins,  wretched  man  that  I 
am!  helped  thus  to  crucify  my  Saviour;  and,  for  the 
discharge  of  my  sins,  would  He  l^e  thus  crucified. 

Neitlier  did  He  only  give  himself  for  me  upon  the 
Cross;  but  lo,  He  both  offers  and  gives  Himself  to 
me,  in  this  His  blessed  Institution. 

What  had  this  general  gift  been,  without  this  ap- 
plication? Now,  my  hand  doth  not  more  sensibly 
take,  nor  my  mouth  more  really  eat  this  bread,  than 
my  soul  doth  spiritually  receive  and  feed  on  the 
bread  of  life.  O  Saviour,  Thou  art  the  living  Ijread, 
that  came  down  from  heaven.  Thy  flesh  is  meat 
indeed,  and  Thy  blood  is  drink  indeed.  Oh,  that  I 
may  so  eat  of  this  bread,  that  I  may  live  for  ever! 
He  that  cometh  to  Thee,  shall  never  hunger:  he 
that  believeth  in  Thee,  shall  never  thirst.  Oh,  that 
I  could  now  so  hunger  and  so  thirst  for  Thee,  that 
my  soul  could  be  for  ever  satisfied  with  Thee!  Thy 
people,  of  old,  were  fed  with  manna  in  the  wilder- 
ness; yet  they  died:  that  food  of  angels  could  not 
keep  them  from  perishing:  but  oh,  for  the  Hidden 
Manna,  which  giveth  life  to  the  world,  even  Thy 
blessed  Self!  Give  me  ever  of  this  bread,  and  my 
soul  shall  not  die,  but  live. 

Oh,  the  precious  juice  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine, 
wherewith  Thou  refreshest  my  soul!  Is  this  the 
blood  of  the  grape?  Is  it  not  rather  Tliy  blood  of 
the    New    Testanient,    thai    is   poured   out   for  me? 


46  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Thou  speakest,  O  Saviour,  of  new  wine  that  Thou 
wouldest  drink  with  Thy  disciples,  in  Thy  Father's 
kingdom:  can  there  be  any  more  precious  and  plea- 
sant than  this,  wherewith  Thou  cheerest  the  believing 
soul?  Our  palate  is  now  dull  and  earthly,  which 
shall  then  be  exquisite  and  celestial:  but,  surely,  no 
liquor  can  be  of  equal  price  or  sovereignty  with  Thy 
blood.  Oh,  how  unsavory  are  all  earthly  delicacies, 
to  this  .heavenly  draught!  O  God,  let  not  the  sweet 
taste  of  this  spiritual  nectar  ever  go  out  of  the  mouth 
of  my  soul.  Let  the  comfortable  warmth  of  this 
blessed  cordial  ever  work  upon  my  soul;  even  till 
and  in,  the  last  moment  of  my  dissolution. 

Do  THIS  IN  Eemembrance  of  Me. 

DOST  Thou  bid  me,  O  Saviour,  do  this  in  remem- 
brance of  Thee  ?  oh,  how  can  I  forget  Thee  ? 
how  can  I  enough  celebrate  Thee,  for  this  Thy  un- 
speakable mercy?  Can  I  see  Thee  thus  crucified  be- 
fore my  eyes,  and  for  my  sake  thus  crucified,  and  not 
remember  Thee?  Can  I  find  my  sins  accessary  to  this 
Thy  death,  and  Thy  death  meritoriously  expiating 
all  these  my  grievous  sins,  and  not  remember  Thee? 
Can  I  hear  Thee  freely  ofiering  Thyself  to  me,  and 
feel  Thee  graciously  conveying  Thyself  into  my  soul, 
and  not  remember  Thee?  I  do  remember  Thee,  O 
Saviour:  but  oh  that  I  could  yet  more  effectually 
remember  Thee;  with  all  the  j)^ssionate  affections 
of  a  soul  sick  of  Thy  love;  with  all  zealous  desires 
to  glorify  Thee;  with  all  fervent  longiugs  after  Thee 


JOSEPH   HALL.  47 

and  Thy  salvation!     I  remember  Thee  in  Thy  suffer- 
ings; oh,  do  Thou  remember  me  in  Thy  gloiy.* 

Thoughts  after  the  Communion. 

OH,  what  a  blessing  have  I  received  to-day!  no 
less  than  my  Lord  Jesus,  with  all  His  merits; 
and,  in  and  with  Him,  the  assurance  of  the  remission 
of  all  sins  and  everlasting  salvation.  How  happy 
am  I,  if  I  be  not  wanting  to  God  and  myself !  How 
unworthy  shall  I  be,  if  I  do  not  strive  to  ansAver  this 
love  of  my  God  and  Saviour,  in  all  hearty  affection, 
and  in  all  holy  obedience! 

And  now,  after  this  heavenly  repast,  how  do  I  feel 
myself?  What  strength,  what  advantage  hath  my 
faith  gotten?  How  much  am  I  nearer  to  heaven 
than  before?  How  much  faster  hold  have  I  taken 
of  my  blessed  Redeemer?  How  much  more  firm 
and  sensible  is  my  interest  in  Him? 


*  It  seems  to  us  that  under  the  impression  of  such  devout 
language  James  Montgomery  must  have  composed  these  beauti- 
ful lines : — 

'Gethsemane  can  I  forget?  or  there  Thy  conflict  see, 
Thine  agony  and  bloody  sweat,  and  not  remember  Thee? 
When  to  the  cross  I  turn  mine  eyes,  and  rest  on  Calvary, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  my  sacrifice!  I  must  remember  Thee! 
Eemember  Thee  in  all  Thy  pains,  and  all  Tliy  love  to  me; 
Yea,  while  a  breath  or  pulse  remains,  I  will  remember  Thee! 
And  when  these  failing  lips  grow  dumb,  and  mind  and  memory  flee, 
When  Thou  shalt  in  Thy  kingdom  come,  Jesus  remember  me.' 


48  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

True  Penitence. 

TRUE  penitence  is  strong  and  can  grapple  with 
the  greatest  sin;  yea,  with  all  the  powers  of 
hell.  What  if  your  hands  be  red  with  blood?  be- 
hold tlie  blood  of  your  Saviour  shall  wash  away 
yours.  If  you  can  bathe  yourself  in  that,  your 
scarlet  soul  sliall  be  as  white  as  snow.  This  course 
alone  shall  make  your  cross  the  way  to  the  paradise 
of  God.  This  plaster  can  heal  all  the  sores  of  the 
soul,  if  never  so  desperate.  Only,  take  heed  that 
your  heart  be  deep  enough  pierced,  ere  you  lay  it 
on;  else,  under  a  seeming  skin  of  dissimulation,  your 
soul  shall  fester  to  death. 

Meecy  for  the  Vilest. 
•  (^^  HAPPY  message,'  thou  say  est,  '  Avere  it  as  sure 

Vv'  as  it  is  comfortable!  But,  alas,  my  heart  finds 
many  and  deep  grounds  of  fear  and  diffidence,  which 
will  not  easily  be  removed.  That  smites  me,  while 
you  offer  to  acquit  me;  and  tells  me,  I  am  in  a  worse 
condition  than  a  looker-on  can  imagine.  My  sins 
are,  beyond  measure,  heinous:  such  as  my  thoughts 
tremble  at:  such,  as  I  dare  not  utter  to  the  God  that 
knows  them,  and  against  whom  only  they  are  com- 
mitted. There  is  horror  in  their  very  remembrance: 
wliat  will  there  then  be,  in  their  retril)ution?' 

They  are  bitter  things,  that  thou  urgest  against 
thyself,  my  son:  no  adversary  could  plead  worse. 

But  I  admit  thy  vileness.  Be  thou  as  bad  as 
Satan  can  make  thee:  it  is  not  either  his  malice,  or 
tliy  wickedness,  tliat  can  sluit  tliee  out.  from  mercy. 


JOSEPH    HALL.  49 

Be  thou  as  foul  as  sin  can  make  thee:  yet  there  is  a 
fountain  oj)ened  to  t/ie  house  of  David,  a  bloody 
fountain  in  the  side  of  thy  Saviour,  for  sin  and f 07" 
inicleanness:  Zcch.  xiii.  1.  Be  thou  as  leprous  as 
that  Syrian  was  of  old,  if  thou  canst  but  wash  seven 
times  in  the  waters  of  this  Jordan,  thou  canst  not 
but  be  clean:  thy  flesh  shall  come  again  to  thee,  like 
to  the  flesh  of  a  little  child:  2  Kino-s  v.  14,  thou 
shalt  be,  at  once,  sound  and  innocent.  Be  thou  stuns: 
unto  death,  with  the  fiery  serpents  of  this  wilderness: 
yet  if  thou  canst  but  cast  thine  eyes  to  that  brazen 
serpent  which  is  erected  there,  thou  canst  not  fail 
of  cure. 

Wherefore  came  the  Son  of  God  into  the  world, 
but  to  save  sinners?  add,  if  thou  wilt,  whereof  I  am 
chief:  thou  canst  sa}^  no  worse  by  thyself,  than  a 
better  man  did  before  thee;  who,  in  the  right  of  a 
sinner,  claimeth  the  benefit  of  a  Saviour:  1  Tim.  i. 
15.  Were  it  not  for  our  sin,  what  use  were  there 
of  a  Redeemer?  Were  not  our  sins  heinous,  how 
should  it  have  required  such  an  expiation  as  the  biood 
of  the  Eternal  Son  of  God? 

Take  comfort  to  thyself,  my  son:  the  greatness 
of  thy  sin  serves  but  to  magnify  the  mercy  of  the 
Forgiver.  To  remit  the  debt  of  some  few  far- 
things, it  were  small  thank;  but,  to  strike  ofl"  the 
scores  of  thousands  of  talents,  it  is  the  height  of 
bounty.  Thus  doth  thy  God  to  thee:  He  hath  suflcr- 
ed  thee  to  run  on  in  Ilis  book?  to  so  deep  a  sum, 
that,  when  thy  conscious  heart  hath  proclaimed  thee 
bankrupt,  He  may  infinitely  ol)lige  thee  and  glorify 


50  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

His  own  mercy,  in  crossing  the  reckoning  and  acquit- 
ting thy  soul. 

All  sums  are  equally  dischargeable  to  the  munifi- 
cence of  our  2:reat  Creditor  in  heaven:  as  it  is  the 
act  of  His  justice,  to  call  for  the  least;  so  of  His 
mercy,  to  forgive  the  greatest.  Had  we  to  do  with 
a  finite  poAver,  we  had  reason  to  sink  under  the  bur- 
den of  our  sins:  now  there  is  neither  more  nor  less 
to  that,  which  is  infinite:  only  let  thy  care  be,  to  lay 
hold  on  that  infinite  mercy  which  lies  open  to  thee: 
and,  as  thou  art  an  object  fit  for  mercy,  in  that  tliou 
art  in  thyself  sinful  and  misera])le  enough;  so,  find 
thyself,  as  thou  art,  a  subject  meet  to  receive  this 
mercy,  as  a  penitent  believer.  Open  and  enlarge 
thy  bosom,  to  take  in  this  free  grace;  and  close  with 
thy  blessed  Saviour;  and,  in  Him  possess  th^^self 
of  remission,  peace,  salvation. 


All  ake  Pilgrims. 

THOU  art  out  of  thy  country: — Who  is  not  so? 
We  are  all  Pilgrims  together  with  Thee:  1  Pet. 
ii.  11.  Heb.  xi.  13.  While  2ce  are  at  home  in  thehody^ 
loe  are  absent  from  the  Lord:  2  Cor.  \.  6.  Miserable 
are  w^e,  if  our  true  home  be  not  above.  That  is  the 
better  country  which  we  seek,  even  a  heavenly:  Heb. 
xi.  16;  and  thither  thou  mayest  equally  direct  thy 
course,  in  whatsoever  region.  This  centre  of  earth 
is  equidistant  from  the  glorious  circumference  of 
heaven:  if  we  may  once  meet  there,  what  need  we 
make  such   difference  in  the  wav- 


joseph  hall.  51 

Death  but  a  Sleep. 

I^HOU  art  afraid  of  death: — When  thou  art  weary 
-  of  thy  day's  labor,  art  thou  afraid  of  rest? 

Hear  what  thy  Saviom*,  who  is  the  Lord  of  Life, 
esteems  of  death;  Our  friend  Lazarus  sleepetli:  John 
xi.  11:  and  of  Jairus's  daughter;  The  maid  is  not 
dead;  hut  sleepeth:  Matt.  ix.  24.  Luke  viii.  52. 

Neither  useth  the  Spirit  of  God  any  other  hmguage, 
concernino^  His  servants  under  the  Old  Testament: 
N'oio  shall  I  sleep  in  the  dust,  saith  holy  Job:  eh. 
vii.  21:  and  of  David,  When  thy  days  be  fulfilled^ 
and  tliou  shalt  sleep  with  thy  fathers:  2  Sam.  vii.  12. 

Nor  yet  under  the  New:  For  this  cause,  many  are 
weak  and  sicJdy  among  you,  and  many  sleep,  saith  the 
apostle:   1  Cor.  xi.  30. 

Lo,  the  philosophers  of  old  were  wont  to  call 
sleep  the  brother  of  death:  but  God  says,  death  is 
no  other  than  sleep  itself:  a  sleep,  both  sure  and 
sweet.  When  thou  liest  down  at  night  to  thy  repose, 
thou  canst  not  be  so  certain  to  awake  again  in  the 
morning:  as,  when  thou  layest  thyself  down  in  death, 
thou  art  sure  to  awake  in  the  morning  of  the  resur- 
rection. Out  of  this  Ijodily  sleep,  thou  mayest  be 
affrightedly  startled  with  some  noises  of  sudden 
horror:  with  some  fearful  dreams;  with  tumults,  or 
alarms  of  war;  but  here,  thou  shalt  rest  quietly  in 
the  place  of  silence  (Psalm  xciv.  17.),  free  from  all 
inward  and  outward  disturl:>ances:  while,  in  the  mean 
time,  thy  soul  shall  see  none  but  visions  of  joy  and 
blessedness. 

But,  oh  the  sweet  and  heavenly  expression  of  our 


52  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

last  rest,  and  the  issue  of  our  happy  resuscitation, 
which  our  gracious  apostle  hath  laid  forth,  for  the 
consolation  of  his  mournful  Thessalonians!  For.  if 
we  believe^  saith  he,  that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again; 
even  so  them  also,  ivhich  sleejp  in  Jesus,  ivill  God 
bring  ivith  Him.  Lo,  our  belief  is  antidote  enough 
against  the  worst  of  death.  And  why  are  we  troubled 
with  death,  when  we  believe  that  Jesus  died?  and 
what  a  triumph  is  this  over  death,  that  the  same 
Jesus,  who  died,  rose  again!  and  what  a  comfort  it 
is,  that  the  same  Jesus,  who  arose,  shall  both  come 
again,  and  bring  all  His  with  Him  in  glory!  and,  lastly 
what  a  strong  cordial  is  this  to  all  good  hearts,  that 
all  those  which  die  well,  do  sleep  in  Jesus!  Thou 
thoughtest,  perhaps,  of  sleeping  in  the  bed  of  the 
grave;  and  there,  indeed,  is  rest:  but  he  tells  thee 
of  sleeping  in  the  bosom  of  Jesus;  and  there  is  im- 
mortality and  blessedness.  O  blessed  Jesus,  in  TJiy 
jjresence  is  the  fulness  of  joy,  and  at  Thy  right  hand 
are  pleasures  for  ever-more.  Who  would  desire  to 
walk  in  the  Avorld,  when  he  may  sleep  with  Jesus? 

Prayer. 

FASHIONABLE  suppliants  may  talk  to  God: 
but,  be  confident,  he  that  can  truly  pray,  can 
never  be  truly  miserable.  Of  ourselves  we  lie  open 
to  all  evils:  our  rescue  is  from  above:  and  what  in- 
tercourse have  we  with  heaven,  but  by  our  prayers? 
Our  prayers  are  they  that  can  deliver  us  from  dan- 
gers, avert  judgments,  prevent  mischiefs,  procure 
lilessings;  that  can  obtain  pardon  for  our  sins,  furnish 


JObEl'II    II.ALL.  53 

US  with  strength  against  temptations,  mitigate  the 
extremity  of  our  suflcrings,  sustain  our  infirmities, 
raise  up  our  dejectedness,  increase  our  graces,  abate 
our  corruptions,  sanctify  all  good  things  to  us, 
sweeten  the  bitterness  of  our  afflictions,  open  the 
windows  of  heaven,  shut  up  the  bars  of  death,  van- 
quish the  power  of  hell.  Pray,  and  be  both  safe  and 
happy. 

Redemption. 

REDEMPTION  was  the  great  errand,  for  which 
the  Son  of  God  came  down  into  the  world;  and 
the  work  which  He  did,  while  He  was  in  the  Avorld; 
and  that  which,  in  way  of  application  of  it.  He  shall 
1)0  ever  accomplishing,  till  He  shall  deliver  up  His 
Mediatory  kingdom  into  the  hands  of  His  Father. 
In  this  He  begins,  in  this  He  finishes,  the  great  busi- 
ness of  our  salvation:  for  those  who,  in  this  life,  are 
enlightened  by  His  wisdom,  justified  by  His  mer- 
its, sanctified  by  His  grace,  are  yet  conflicting 
with  manifold  temptations,  and  struggling  with 
varieties  of  miseries  and  dangers;  till,  upon  their 
happy  death  and  glorious  resurrection,  they  shall  be 
fully  freed,  by  their  ever-blessed  and  victorious  Ee- 
deemer. 

He,  therefore,  who,  by  virtue  of  tliat  hcavenl}- 
union,  .is  made  unto  us  of  God,  wisdom,  righteous- 
ness, sanctification ;  is  also,  upon  the  same  ground, 
made  unto  us  our  full  redemption. 


54  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

The  Christian  in  his  Devotion. 

HE  is  so  perpetually  resident  in  heaven,  that  he 
is,  often  in  every  clay,  before  the  throne  of 
grace;  and  he  never  comes  there,  Avithout  supplica- 
tion in  his  hand:  wherein  also  he  loves  to  be  importu- 
nate: and  he  speeds  accordingly;  for  he  never  departs 
empty;  while  other  cold  suitors,  that  come  thither 
but  in  some  good  fits  of  devotion,  obtain  nothing 
but  denials. 

He  dares  not  press  to  God's  footstool  in  his  own 
name:  he  is  conscious  enous^h  of  his  own  unworthi- 
ness:  but  he  comes  in  the  gracious  and  powerful 
name  of  his  righteous  Mediator,  in  whom  he  knows 
he  cannot  but  be  accepted:  and,  in  an  humble  bold- 
ness, for  His  only  sake  craves  mercy. 

No  man  is  either  more  awful  or  more  confident. 

When  he  hath  put  up  his  petition  to  the  King  of 
heaven,  he  presumes  not  to  stint  the  time  or  manner 
of  God's  condescent;  but  patiently  and  faithfully 
waits  for  the  good  hour,  and  leaves  himself  upon  that 
infinite  wisdom  and  goodness. 

He  doth  not  affect  length  so  much  as.  fervor: 
neither  so  much  minds  his  tongue,  as  his  heart. 

His  prayers  are  suited  according  to  the  degrees 
of  the  benefits  sued  for.  He,  therefore,  begs  grace 
absolutely,  and  temporal  blessings  with  limitation; 
and  is  accordingly  affected  in  the  grant. 

Neither  is  he  more  earnest  in  craving  mercies,  than 
he  is  zealously  desirous  to  be  retributory  to  God 
when  he  hath  received  them;  not  more  heartily  suing 
to  be  rich  in  grace,  than  to  improve  his  graces  to  the 
honor  and  advantage  of  the  bcstower. 


JOSEril   HALL.  55 

With  an  aAvfiil  and  broken  heart,  doth  he  make 
his  addresses  to  that  infinite  Majesty;  from  whose 
presence  he  retnrns  with  comfort  and  joy. 

His  soul  is  constantly  fixed  there,  whither  he  pours 
it  out.  Distraction  and  distrust  are  shut  out  from 
his  closet:  and  he  is  so  taken  up  with  his  devotion, 
as  one  that  makes  it  his  work  to  pray.  And,  when 
he  hath  ofiered  up  his  sacrifices  unto  God,  his  faith 
listens,  and  looks  in  at  the  door  of  heaven  to  know 
how  they  are  taken. 


The  CHRiSTLiN  in  his  Death. 

THE  Christian  therefore,  now  laid  upon  his  last 
bed,  when  this  frrim  messenc^er  comes  to  fetch 
him  to  heaven,  looks  not  so  much  at  his  dreadful 
visage,  as  at  his  happy  errand:  and  is  willing  not  to 
remember  what  death  is  in  itself,  but  what  it  is  to 
us  in  Christ;  by  whom  it  is  made  so  useful  and  bene- 
ficial, that  we  could  not  be  happy  without  it. 

Here,  then,  comes  in  the  last  act  and  employment 
of  faith;  for  after  this  brunt  passed,  there  is  no  more 
use  of  faith,  but  of  vision:  that  heartens  the  soul  in 
a  lively  apprehension  of  that  blessed  Saviour,  who 
both  led  him  the  way  of  suffering,  and  is  making 
way  for  him  to  everlasting  glory:  that  shews  him 
Jesus,  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  faith,  ivho, 
for  the  joy  that  luas  set  before  Him,  endured  the  cross, 
despising  the  shame,  and  is  set  dozen  at  the  right  hand 
of  the  throne  of  God:  that  clings  close  unto  him:  and 
lays  unremovable  hold  upon  His  person,  His  merits, 


56  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

His  blessedness.  Upon  the  wings  of  this  fiiitb,  is 
the  soul  ready  to  mount  up  toward  that  heaven, 
which  is  open  to  receive  it;  and,  in  that  act  of  evo- 
lation,  puts  itself  into  the  hands  of  those  blessed 
angels,  who  are  ready  to  carry  it  up  to  the  throne 
of  glory. 

The  Christian's  Home. 

I  AM  a  stranger  here  below^:  my  home  is  above; 
yet  I  can  think  too  w^ell  of  these  foreign  vanities, 
and  cannot  think  enough  of  my  home.  Surely,  that 
is  not  so  far  above  my  head,  as  my  thoughts;  neither 
doth  so  far  pass  me  in  distance,  as  in  comprehension: 
and  yet,  I  would  not  stand  so  much  upon  conceiving, 
if  I  could  admire  it  enough;  but  my  strait  heart  is 
filled  with  a  little  wonder,  and  hath  no  room  for  the 
greatest  part  of  glory  that  remaineth.  O  God,  what 
happiness  hast  Thou  prepared  for  Thy  chosen  !  What 
a  purchase  was  this,  worth}^  of  the  blood  of  such  a 
Saviour.  As  yet  I  do  but  look  towards  it,  aftir  ojff; 
but  it  is  easy  to  see  by  the  outside,  how  goodly  it  is 
within:  although,  as  Thy  house. on  earth,,  so  that 
above,  hath  more  glory  within,  than  can  be  bewrayed 
by  the  outward  appearance.  The  outer  part  of  Thy 
tabernacle  here  below,  is  but  an  earthly  and  base 
substance;  but  w^ithin,  it  is  furnished  with  a  living, 
spiritual,  and  heavenly  guest :  so  the  outer  heavens, 
though  they  be  as  gold  to  all  other  material  crea- 
tures; yet  they  are  but  dross  to  Thee.  Yet  how  are 
even  the  outmost  Avails  of  that  house  of  Thine  beau- 
tified with  glorious  lights,  whereof  every  one  is  a 


JOSEni   HALL.  57 

world  for  bigness,  and  us  a  heaven  for  goodliness ! 
Oh  teach  me  by  this  to  long  after,  and  wonder  at  the 
inner  part,  before  Thou  lettest  me  come  in  to  l)ehold 
it. 

Heavenly  and  Earthly  Things. 
r^r^HE  estate  of  heavenly  and  earthly  things  is 
JL  plainly  represented  to  us,  by  the  two  lights  of 
heaven,  which  are  appointed  to  rule  the  night  and 
the  day.  Earthly  things  are  rightly  resembled  by 
the  moon,  wdiich,  l)eing  nearest  to  the  region  of  mor- 
tality, is  ever  in  changes,  and  never  looks  upon  us 
twice  with  the  same  face;  and,  when  it  is  at  the  full, 
is  blemished  with  some  dark  spots,  not  capable  of 
any  illumination.  Heavenly  things  are  figured  by 
the  sun,  whose  great  and  glorious  light  is  both  natu 
ral  to  itself,  and  ever  constant.  That  other  fickle 
and  dim  star  is  fit  enough  for  the  night  of  misery, 
wdierein  w^e  live  here  below.  And  this  firm  and 
beautiful  light  is  but  good  enough  for  that  day  of 
glory,  Avhich  the  saints  live  in.  If  it  be  good  living 
here,  Avhere  our  sorrows  are  changed  wath  joys: 
what  is  it  to  live  above,  where  our  joys  change  not  ? 
I  cannot  look  upon  the  body  of  the  sini;  and  yet  I 
cannot  see  at  all  without  the  light  of  it:  I  cannot 
1)ehold  the  glory  of  Thy  saints,  O  Lord;  yet  w^ithout 
the  knowledge  of  it,  I  am  blind.  If  Tliy  creature  be 
so  glorious  to  us  here  below;  how  glorious  sliall 
Th^^self  be  to  us,  Avhen  we  are  above  the  sun  !  This 
sun  shall  not  shine  upward,  where  Thy  glory  shineth: 
the  2:reater  lic-ht  extins^uisheth  the  lesser.     O  thou 


58  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Sun  of  Righteousness,  which  shalt  011I3'  shine  to  me 
when  I  am  glorified,  do  Thou  heat,  enlighten,  com- 
fort me  with  the  beams  of  Thy  presence,  till  I  be 
glorified.     Amen. 

Humility. 

THE  nearer  our  Saviour  drcAV  to  His  glory,  the 
more  humility  He  expressed.  His  followers 
were  first  His  servants,  and  He  their  Master;  John 
xiii.  16:  then,  His  disciples,  and  He  their  Teacher; 
John  XV.  8:  soon  after,  they  were  His  friends,  and 
He  theirs;  John  xv.  13:  straightway s  after  His  insur- 
rection and  entrance  into  an  immortal  condition,  they 
were  His  brethren.  Go  to  my  brethren,  and  say  unto 
them,  I  ascend  to  my  Father  and  your  Father;  John 
XX.  17:  lastly,  they  are  incorporated  into  Him,  and 
made  partakers  of  His  glory.  That  they  also  "may  he 
one  icith  us,  saith  He,  /  in  them,  and  thou  in  me; 
that  they  may  he  made  jyerfect  in  one;  and  tlie  glory 
which  TJiougavest  me,  I  have  given  them;  John  xvii. 
21,  22,  23.  O  Saviour,  was  this  done  for  the  de- 
pressing of  Thyself,  or  for  the  exaltation  .of  us,  or 
rather  for  both?  How  couldest  Thou  more  depress 
Thj'Self,  than  thus  to  match  Thyself  with  us  poor 
wretched  creatures?  How  couldest  Thou  more  exalt 
us,  than  to  raise  us  unto  this  entireness  with  Thee, 
the  All-Glorious  and  Eternal  Son  of  God  ?  How 
should  we  learn  of  Thee,  to  improve  our  highest 
advancement  to  our  deepest  humilitj-;  and  so  to 
regard  each  other,  that,  when  we  are  greatest,  we 
should  be  least ! 


E 


joseph  hall..  59 

Eternity. 
TEKNITY  is  that  only  thing,  which  is  worthy 
to  take  np  the  thoughts  of  a  wise  man:  that 
being  aclLled  to  evil,  makes  the  evil  infinitely  more 
intolerable;  and,  being  added  to  good,  makes  the 
good  infinitely  more  desirable.  O  Eternity!  thou 
bottomless  abj^ss  of  misery  to  the  wicked:  thou  inde- 
terminable pitch  of  joy  to  the  saints  of  God:  what 
soul  is  able  to  comprehend  thee?  What  strength 
of  understanding  is  able  to  conceive  of  thee?  Be 
thou  ever  in  my  thoughts,  ever  before  mine  eyes. 
Be  thou  the  scope  of  all  my  actions,  of  all  my 
endeavors;  and,  in  respect  of  thee,  let  all  this  visi- 
ble world  be  to  me  as  nothing:  and,  since  only  the 
tilings^  loJdcJi  are  not  seen  by  the  eye  of  sense,  are 
eternal,  Lord,  sharpen  thou  the  eyes  of  \nj  faith, 
that  I  may  see  those  things  invisible;  and  may,  in 
that  sight,  enjoy  Thy  blessed  eternity. 

The  Celestl^l  City. 
TT^HE  city  that  is  of  God's  building  is  deep  and 
JL  firmly  grounded  upon  the  rock  of  His  eternal 
decree;  and  hath  more  foundations  than  one,  and  all 
of  them  both  sure  and  costly.  God's  material  house, 
built  by  Solomon,  had  the  foundation  laid  with  great 
squared  stone:  but  the  foundations  of  the  walls  of 
this  city  of  God  are  garnished  with  all  manner  of 
precious  stones;  Rev.  xxi.  19.  Glorious  tilings  are 
spoken  of  thee,  O  thou  city  of  God.  Why  do  I  set 
up  my  rest  in  this  house  of  clay,  which  is  ever}^  day 
falling  on  my  head,  while  I  have  the  assured  expcc- 


60  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

tation  of  so  glorious  a  dwelling  above?  For  ive 
knoiv,  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
loere  dissolved^  we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house 
not  made  ivith  hands,  but  eternal  in  the  heavens;  2 
Cor.  V.  1. 

The  True  CimisTiiiN  Happy. 

THE  true  Christian  is  in  a  very  happy  condition; 
for  no  man  will  envy  him,  and  he  can  env}^  no 
body.  None  will  envy  him;  for  the  world  cannot 
knoAV  how  happy  he  is:  how  happy,  in  the  favor  of 
a  God;  how  happy,  in  the  enjoyment  of  that  favor. 
Those  secret  delights,  that  he  finds  in  the  presence 
of  his  God;  those  comfortable  pledges  of  love  and 
mutual  interchanges  of  blessed  interest,  which  pass 
between  them;  are  not  for  worldly  hearts  to  conceive: 
and  no  man  will  envy  an  unknown  happiness.  On 
the  other  side,  he  cannot  envy  the  world's  greatest 
favorite  under  heaven;  for  he  well  knows  how  fickle 
and  uncertain  that  man's  felicity  is:  he  sees  him 
walking  upon  ice,  and  perceives  every  foot  of  his 
sliding,  and  threatening  a  fall;  and  hears  that  brittle 
pavement,  at  every  step,  crackling  under  him,  and 
ready  to  give  way  to  his  swallowing  up;  and,  withal, 
finds  if  those  pleasures  of  his  could  be  constant  and 
permanent,  how  poor  and  unsatisfying  they  are,  and 
hoAV  utterly  unable  to  yield  true  contentment  to  the 
soul.  The  Christian,  therefore,  while  others  look 
upon  him  with  pity  and  scorn,  laughs  secretly  to 
himself  in  his  bosom;  as  well  knowing  there  is  none 
but  he  truly  happy. 


joseph  hall.  61 

The  Saviour's  Agony. 

WHAT  is  this  that  I  see?  my  Saviour  in  an 
agony,  and  an  angel  strengthening  him  !  Oh 
the  wonderful  dispensation  of  the  Almighty!  That 
the  Eternal  Son  of  God,  who  promised  to  send  the 
Comforter  to  his  followers,  should  need  comfort ! 
That  He  of  whom  the  voice  from  heaven  said,  TJiis 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  ivhomi  am  well 'pleased,  should 
he  strufifsrlino:  with  his  Father's  wrath  even  to  blood  ! 
That  the  Lord  of  Life  should,  in  a  languishing  hor- 
ror, say,  Mij  soul  is  exceeding  sorroicfal,  even  unto 
death!  These,  these,  O  Saviour,  are  the  chastise- 
ments of  our  peace;  which  both  Thou  wonkiest  suffer, 
and  Thy  Father  would  inflict.  The  least  touch  of 
one  of  those  pangs  would  have  been  no  less  than  a 
hell  to  me,  the  whole  brunt  thereof  Thou  enduredst 
for  my  soul :  what  a  wretch  am  I,  to  grudge  a  little 
pain  from  or  for  thee,  who  wert  content  to  undergo 
such  pressure  of  torment  for  me,  as  squeezed  from 
thee  a  sweat  of  blood  :  since  my  miserable  sinfulness 
deserved  more  load,  than  Thou,  in  Thy  merciful  com- 
passion, wilt  lay  upon  me;  and  thy  pure  nature  and 
perfect  innocence  merited  nothing  but  love  and 
glory!  Li  this  sad  case,  what  service  is  it,  that  an 
angel  offers  to  do  unto  Thee?  Lo,  there  appears  to 
Theea?!  angel  from  heaven  strengthening  Thee;  Luke 
xxii.  43.  Still  more  wonder !  Art  not  Thou  the 
God  of  Spirits?  Is  it  not  Thou,  that  gavest  being, 
life,  motion,  power,  glory  to  all  the  angels  of  heaven? 
Shall  there  be  need  of  one  single  created  spirit,  to 
administer    strength  and    comfort   to    his  Creator  ? 


G2  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Were  this  the  errand,  why  did  not  all  that  blessed 
corps  of  celestial  spirits  join  their  forces  together, 
in  so  high  an  employment  ?  Where  are  the  multi- 
tudes of  that  heavenly  host,  which,  at  Thy  birth, 
smig,Glo)ytd  God  in  the  highest^  and  on  earth  peace? 
Luke  ii.  13,  14.  Where  are  those  angels  which  min- 
istered to  Thee,  after  Thy  combat  of  temptations  in 
the  wilderness?  Surel}^,  there  was  not  so  much  use 
of  their  divine  cordials  in  the  desert,  as  in  the  gar- 
den. O  my  God  and  Saviour,  thus  Thou  wouldest 
have  it.  It  is  Thy  holy  will,  that  is  the  rule  and 
reason  of  all  Thine  actions,  and  events.  Thou,  that 
wouldest  make  use  of  the  provision  of  men  for  Thy 
maintenance  on  earth,  Avouldest  employ  Thy  servants 
the  angels  for  the  supply  of  Thy  consolations;  and 
Thou,  that  couldest  have  commanded  legions  of  those 
celestial  spirits,  wouldest  be  served  by  one:  not  but 
that  more  were  present,  but  that  only  one  appeared: 
all  the  host  of  them  ever  invisibly  attended  Thee,  as 
God;  but,  as  man,  one  only  presents  himself  to  Thy 
bodily  eyes:  and  Thou,  who  madest  Thyself,  for  (^ur 
sakes,  a  little  lower  than  the  angels  (Heb.  ii.  .9)  which 
Thou  madest,  wouldest  humble  Thyself  to  receive 
comfort  from  those  hands,  to  which  Thou  gavest  the 
capacity  to  bring  it.  It  is  no  marvel,  if  that,  which 
was  Thy  condescent,  be  our  glory  and  happiness.  I 
am  not  worthy,  O  God,  to  know  what  conflicts  Thou 
hast  ordained  for  my  weakness:  whatever  they  be. 
Thou,  that  hast  appointed  Thine  angels  to  be  minis- 
tering spirits  for  the  behoof  of  them  ivho  shall  he 
heirs  of  salvation,  (IIcl).  i.  14.)  sufTer  not  Thy  ser- 


josErn  HALL.  G3 

vant  to  want  the  presence  of  those  blessed  emissaries 
of  Thine,  in  any  of  his  extremities:  let  them  stand 
by  his  soul,  in  his  last  agony;  and,  after  a  happy 
eluctation,  convey  it  to  Thy  glory. 

The  Night  of  Death. 

TNDEED,  Lord,  as  Thou  sayest,  tlit  night  cometh 
ivhen  no  man  can  ivorJc.  What  can  we  do,  when 
the  light  is  shut  in,  but  shut  our  eyes,  and  sleep? 
When  our  senses  are  tied  up,  and  our  limbs  laid  to 
rest,  what  can  we  do,  but  yield  ourselves  to  a  neces- 
sary repose?  O  my  God,  I  perceive  my  night  has- 
tening on  apace:  my  sun  draws  low:  the  shadows 
lengthen:  vapors  rise;  and  the  air  begins  to  darken. 
Let  me  bestir  myself,  for  the  time:  let  me  lose  none 
of  my  few  hours:  let  me  work  hard,  awhile;  because 
I  shall  soon  rest  everlastingly. 

Heavenly  Joys. 

DOUBTLESS,  O  God,  Thou,  that  hasfr  given  to 
men,  even  Thine  enemies,  here  upon  earth,  so 
excellent  means  to  please  their  outward  senses;  such 
beautiful  faces  and  admirable  flowers,  to  delight  the 
eye;  such  delicate  scents  from  their  garden,  to  please 
the  smell;  such  curious  confections  and  delicate 
sauces,  to  please  the  taste;  such  sweet  music  from 
the  birds,  and  artificial  devices  of  ravishing  melod}' 
from  the  art  of  man,  to  delight  the  car;  hast  much 
more  ordained  transcendent  pleasures  and  infinite 
contentments  for  Thy  glorified  saints  al)Ove.  My 
soul,  while  it  is  thus  cloixged  and  confined,  is  too 


()^  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

strait  to  conceive  of  those  incomprehensible  ways 
of  spiritual  delectation,  which  Thou  hast  provided 
for  Thy  dear  chosen  ones,  triumphing  with  Thee  in 
Thy  heaven.  Oh,  teach  me  to  wonder  at  that  which 
I  cannot  here  attain  to  know;  and  to  long  for  that 
happiness,  which  I  there  hope  to  enjoy  with  Thee 
for  ever. 

Honey  feom  the  Rock. 

OGOD,  Thou  didst  miraculously  refresh  Thy 
murmuring  Israel  of  old  with  water,  out  of 
the  rock,  in  that  dry  wilderness:  and  now  I  hear 
Thee  say,  If  they  had  hearkened  to  Thy  voice,  and 
walked  in  Thy  ways,  with  honey  out  of  the  rock 
Thou  wouldest  have  satisfied  them;  Pslam  Ixxxi.  16. 
Lo,  that  which  Thou  wouldest  have  done  to  Thine 
ancient  people  if  they  had  obeyed  Thee,  Thou  hast 
abundantly  performed  to  Thine  evangelical  Israel: 
with  honey,  out  of  the  Rock,  hast  Thou  satisfied 
them:  the  Rock,  that  followed  them,  was  Christ  my 
Saviour;  1  Cor.  x.  4.  Lo,  out  of  this  Rock  hath 
flowed  that  honey,  whereby  our  souls  are  satisfied. 
Out  of  IBs  side,  saith  the  evangelist,  came  water  and 
blood.  This  Rock  of  our  Salvation  afibrdeth  both 
what  Israel  had,  and  might  have  had.  Surely,  O  my 
God,  there  can  be  no  honey  so  sweet,  as  the  efiect  of 
the  precious  blood  of  my  Saviour  to  the  soul  of  the 
believer:  by  that  blood,  we  have  eternal  redemption 
from  death,  and  remission  of  all  our  sins;  Hcb.  ix. 
12.  Eph.  i.  7:  by  that  blood,  are  Ave  justified  in  the 
sight  of  our  God,  and  saved  from  the  wrath  to  come; 


JOSEPH    HALL.  05 

Eom.  V.  9:  by  that  blood,  we  have  our  peace  made 
in  heaven,  and  are  fully  reconciled  to  ouv  God;  Col. 
i.  20:  by  that  blood,  we  are  cleansed  and  pt^^'^V^d 
from  all  our  iniquity;  Heb.  ix.  22:  by  that  blood, 
we  are  sanctified  from  our  corruptions;  Heb.  xiii.  12. 
1  Pet.  i.  2:  by  that  blood,  we  receive  the  pro7nises 
and  possessions  of  an  eternal  inheritance;  Heb.  ix. 
15.  O  the  spiritual  hoiiey  so  sweet,  that  the  material 
honey  is  but  bitterness  to  it !  Jonathan  of  old  did 
but  dip  his  spear  in  the  honey  of  the  wood  ;  and,  with 
but  one  lick  of  that  sweet  moisture,  had  his  e^^es 
cleared,  and  his  spirits  revived  ;  1  Sam.  xiv.  29.  O 
God,  let  me  but  taste  and  see  how  sweet  the  Lord 
Jesus  is,  in  all  His  gracious  promises,  in  all  His  mer- 
ciful and  real  performances;  I  shall  need  no  more  to 
make  me  happy.  Thy  Solomon  bids  me  to  eat  honey; 
Prov.  xxiv.  13.  Lo,  this  is  the  honey  that  I  desire 
to  eat  of:  give  me  of  this  honey,  and  I  shall  receive 
both  clearness  to  my  eyes,  and  vigor  of  my  spirits 
to  the  foiling  of  all  my  spiritual  enemies.  This  is 
not  the  honey,  whereof  I  am  bidden  not  to  eat  too 
much;  Prov.  xxv.  16.  No,  Lord,  I  can  never  eat 
enough  of  this  celestial  honey:  here  I  cannot  siu'feit; 
or,  if  I  could,  this  surfeit  would  be  my  health.  O 
God,  give  me  still  enough  of  this  honey  out  of  the 
Rock:  so  shall  my  soul  live,  and  bless  Thee,  and  be 
blessed  of  Thee. 


66  '  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

The  Heavenly  Manna. 

VICTORY  itself  is  the  great  reward  of  our  figbt; 
but  wliat  is  it,  O  God,  that  Thou  promisest  to 
give  us,  as  the  reward  of  our  victory?  even  the  HuJ- 
den  Ifanna:  surely,  were  not  this  gift  exceeding  pre- 
cious, Thou  wouldest  not  reserve  it,  for  the  remuner- 
ation of  so  glorious  a  conquest.  Behold  that  mate- 
rial and  visible  manna,  which  Thou  sentest  down 
from  heaven,  to  stop  the  mouth  of  murmuring  Israel, 
perished  in  their  use;  and,  if  it  were  reserved  but  to 
the  next  clay,  putrefied;  and,  instead  of  nourishing, 
annoyed  them:  but  the  hidden  manna,  that  was  laid 
up  in  the  ark,  was  incorruptible;  as  a  lasting  monu- 
ment of  Thy  power  and  mercy  to  Thy  people.  But 
now,  alas,  what  is  become  both  of  that  manna,  and 
that  ark?  Both  are  vanished,  having  passed  through 
the  devouring  jaws  of  time,  into  mere  forgetfulness. 
It  is  the  true  Spiritual  Manna,  that  came  down  from 
the  highest  heaven,  and,  ascending  thither  again,  is 
hidden  there,  in  the  glorious  ark  of  eternity,  that 
Thou  wilt  give  to  Tliy  conqueror:  that  is  it,  which 
being  participated  of  here  below,  nourisheth  us  to 
eternal  life;  and  beins:  communicated  to  us  "above,  is 
the  full  consummation  of  that  blessed  life  and  glory. 
Oh,  give  me  so  to  fight,  that  I  may  overcome;  that 
so  overcoming,  I  may  be  feasted  with  this  manna. 
Thou,  that  art,  and  hast  given  me  Thyself,  the  Spir- 
itual Manna,  which  I  have  fed  on  b}^  faith;  and  the 
symbolical  manna,  whereof  I  have  eaten  sacramen- 
tally;  give  me  of  that  heavenlj^  manna,  whereof  I 
shall  partake  in  gh)ry.     It  is  yet  a  hidden  manna. 


JOSEPH   HALL.  07 

hid  from  the  eyes  of  the  AV(>i'ld  ;  yea,  in  a  sort,  from 
our  own;  hid,  in  light  inaccessible:  for,  Our  life  is 
Jdd'ioitJt  Ohrisi  in  God;  Col.  iii.  3.  but  shall  then  be 
fully  revealed:  for  it  shall  then  not  only  cover  the 
face  of  the  earth  round  about  the  tents  of  Israel, 
but  spread  itself  over  the  face  of  the  whole  heaven; 
yea,  fill  both  heaven  and  earth.  I  well  thought,  O 
my  God,  that  if  heaven  could  aftbrd  anything  more 
precious  than  other.  Thou  wouldst  lay  it  up  for  Thy 
victor;  for  it  is  a  hard  service,  that  Thy  poor  infan- 
try here  upon  earth  are  put  unto,  to  conflict  Avdth  so 
mighty,  so  malicious,  so  indefatigable  enemies;  and 
therefore  the  reward  must  be  so  much  the  greater, 
as  the  warfare  is  more  difiicult.  Oh,  do  Thou,  who 
art  the  great  Lord  of  Hosts,  give  me  courage  to  fight, 
perseverance  in  fighting,  and  power  to  overcome  all 
my  spiritual  enemies;  that  I  may  receive  from  Thee 
this  hidden  manna,  that  my  soul  may  live  forever, 
and  may  forever  bless  Thee. 

The  Happy  RETUPtN  Ho]me.  • 

I~pVERY  creature  naturally  affects  a  return  to  the 
.-J  original,  whence  it  first  came.  The  pilgrim, 
though  faring  well  abroad,  yet  hath  a  longing  home- 
ward: fountains  and  rivers  run  back,  with  what  speed 
they  may,  to  the  sea,  whence  they  were  derived:  all 
compound  bodies  return  to  their  first  elements:  the 
vapors,  rising  up  from  the  earth  and  waters,  and  con- 
densed into  clouds,  fall  down  again  to  the  same  earth, 
whence  they  were  exhaled:  this  bod^',  that  avc  bear 
about  us,  returns  at  last  to  that  dust,  whereof  it  was 


63  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

framed.  And  why  then,  O  my  soul,  dost  not  thou 
earnestly  desire  to  return  home  to  the  God  that  made 
thee?  Thou  knowest  thy  original  is  heavenly:  why 
are  not  thy  affections  so?  What  canst  thou  find  here 
below,  worthy  to  either  withdraw  or  detain  thee  from 
those  heavenly  mansions?  Thou  art  here,  in  a  region 
of  ^n;  of  misery  and  death:  glory  waits  for  thee 
above:  fly  then,  O  my  soul,  fly  hence  to  that  blessed 
immortality,  not  as  yet,  in  thy  dissolution;  for  which 
thou  must  wait  on  the  pleasure  of  thy  dear  Maker 
and  Redeemer:  yet,  in  thy  thoughts,  in  thy  desires 
and  afiections,  soar  thou  up  thither,  and  con- 
verse there  with  that  blessed  God  and  Father  of 
spirits,  with  those  glorious  orders  of  angels,  and 
with  the  souls  of  just  men  made  perfect:  and,  if  the 
necessity  of  these  bodily  affliirs  must  needs  draw 
thee  off  for  a  time,  let  it  be  not  without  reluctation 
and  hearty  unwillingness,  and  with  an  eager  appe- 
tite of  quick  return  to  that  celestial  societ}^.  It  will 
not  be  long,  ere  thou  shalt  be  blessed  with  a  free 
and  unintel'rupted  fruition  of  that  glorious  eternity: 
in  the  mean  time,  do  thou  prepossess  it,  in  thy  hea- 
venly dispositions;  and,  contemning  this  earth, 
wherewith  thou  art  clogged,  aspire  to  thy  heaven, 
and  be  happy. 

The  Felicity  of  Heaven. 

THEKE,  there  shalt  thou,  O  my  soul,  enjoy  a  per- 
fect rest  from  all  thy  toils,  cares,  fears:  there 
shalt  thou  find  a  true  vital  life,  free  from  all  the 
incumbrances  of  thy  miserable  pilgrimage;  free  from 


JOSEPH    HALL.  69 

the  clangers  of  either  sins  or  temptations:  free  from 
all  anxiety  and  distraction;  free  from  all  sorrow, 
pain,  perturbation;  free  from  all  the  possibility  of 
change  or  death:  a  life,  wherein  there  is  nothing  but 
pure  and  perfect  pleasure;  notliing  but  perpetual 
melodv  of  ano-els  and  saints,  sino^ino'  sw^eet  Hallelu- 
jahs  to  their  God:  a  life,  which  the  most  glorious 
Deity  both  gives,  and  is:  a  life,  wherein  thou  hast 
the  full  fruition  of  the  ever-blessed  Godhead,  the 
continual  society  of  the  celestial  spirits,  the  blissful 
presence  of  the  glorified  humanity  of  thy  Dear  Sa- 
viour: a  life,  wherein  thou  hast  ever  consort  with 
the  glorious  company  of  the  apostles,  the  goodly 
fellowship  of  the  patriarchs  and  prophets,  the  noble 
army  of  martyrs  and  confessors,  the  celestial  synod 
of  all  the  holy  fathers  and  illuminated  doctors  of 
the  Church;  shortly,  the  blessed  assembly  of  all  the 
faithful  professors  of  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
that,  having  finished  their  course,  sit  now  shining  in 
their  promised  glory.  See  there  that  unapproacha- 
ble light,  that  divine  magnificence  of  the  Heavenly- 
King:  see  that  resplendent  crown  of  righteousness, 
wdiich  decks  the  heads  of  every  one  of  those  saints; 
and  is  ready  to  be  set  on  thine,  when  thou  hast 
happil}^  overcome  those  spiritual  powers,  wherewith 
thou  art  still  conflicting:  see  the  joyful  triumphs  of 
these  exulting  victors:  see  the  measures  of  their 
glory  dilferent,  yet  all  full,  and  the  least  unmeasure- 
al^le:  lastly,  see  all  this  happiness  not  limited  to 
thousands,  nor  yet  millions  of  vears,  but  commea- 
sured  ])y  no  less  than  eternity. 


70  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

God  Manifest  in  the  Flesh. 

O  BLESSED  Saviour,  Thou,  the  true  God  mam'' 
fested  in  the  flesh,  be  Thou  pleased  to  manifest 
unto  the  soul  of  Thy  servant  the  unspeakable  riches 
of  Thy  love  and  mercy  to  mankind,  in  that  great 
work  of  our  redemption.  Vouchsafe  to  affect  my 
heart,  with  a  lively  sense  of  that  infinite  goodness 
of  Thine,  towards  the  wretchedest  of  Thy  creatures: 
that,  for  our  sake,  Thou  camest  down,  and  clothedst 
Thyself  in  our  flesh:  and  clothedst  that  pure  and 
holy  flesh,  with  all  the  miseries  that  are  incident  to 
this  sinful  flesh  of  ours;  and  wast  content  to  undergo 
a  bitter,  painful,  ignominious  death  from  the  hands 
of  man;  that,  by  dying,  Thou  mightest  overcome 
death,  and  ransom  him  from  that  hell,  to  which  he 
was,  without  Thee,  irrecoverably  forfeited;  and  fetch 
him  forth  to  life,  liberty,  and  glor}^  Oh,  let  me  not 
see  only,  but  feel,  this  Thy  great  m3^stery  of  Godli- 
ness effectual  1}^  w^orking  me  to  all  hearty  thankful- 
ness for  so  inestimable  a  mercy;  to  all  holy  resolu- 
tions to  glorify  Thee,  in  all  my  actions,  in  all  my 
sufferino's.  Didst  Thou.  O  Saviour,  beino^  God  Eter- 
nal,  take  flesh  for  me;  and  shall  not  I,  when  Thou 
callest,  be  willing  to  lay  down  this  sinful  flesh  for 
Thee  again?  Wert  Thou  content  to  aln-idge  Thyself, 
for  the  time,  not  only  of  Thy  heavenly  miignificence, 
but  of  all  earthly  comforts,  for  my  sake;  and  shall 
not  I,  for  Thy  dear  sake,  renounce  all  the  wicked 
pleasures  of  sin?  Didst  Thou  wear  out  the  days  of 
Thy  flesh  in  poverty,  toil,  reproach,  and  all  earthly 
hardship;  and  shall  I  spend  my  time,  in  pampering 


JOSEPH    HALL.  71 

this  flesh  in  wanton  dalliance,  in  the  ambitious  and 
covetous  pursuit  of  vain  honors  and  deceivable  riches? 
Blessed  Lord,  Thou  wert  manifested  in  the  flesh,  not 
only  to  be  a  ransom  for  our  souls;  but  to  l^e  a  prece- 
dent for  our  lives:  far,  far  be  it  from  me,  thus  to 
imitate  the  great  pattern  of  holiness.  O  Jesus,  the 
Author  and  Finisher  of  my  faith  and  salvation, 
teach  me  to  tread  in  Thy  gracious  steps;  to  run, 
with  patience,  the  race  that  is  set  before  me;  to  en- 
dure the  cross,  to  despise  the  shame;  to  l)e  crucified 
to  the  world;  to  work  all  righteousness. 

The  Saviour  receia^ed  up  into  Glory. 
BLESSED  Saviour,  how  is  my  soul  ravished 
with  the  meditation  of  Thy  glorious  reception 
into  Thy  heaven  !  Surely,  if  the  inhabitants  of  those 
celestial  mansions  may  be  capable  of  any  increase  of 
joy,  they  then  both  found  and  shewed  it,  when  they 
saw  and  welcomed  Thee,  entering,  in  Thy  glorified- 
Humanity,  into  that  Thy  eternal  palace  of  blessed- 
ness; and,  if  there  could  be  any  higher  or  sweeter 
ditty  of  Hallelujah,  it  was  then  sung  by  the  choir 
of  angels  and  saints.  And  may  Thy  poor  servants, 
warfaring  and  wandering  here  upon  earth,  even  sec- 
ond them,  in  those  heavenly  songs  of  praises  and 
gratulations:  for  wherein  stands  all  our  safety,  hope, 
comfort,  happiness,  but  in  this,  that  Thou,  our  Jesus, 
art  received  iij)  into  glory ;  and  having  conquered  all 
diverse  powers,  sittest  on  the  right  hand  of  God  the 
Father,  crowned  with  honor  and  majesty? 

O  Jesus,  Thou  art  our  Head,  we  arc  Th}^  body:  how 


72  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

can  the  body  but  participate  of  the  glory  of  the 
Head?  As  for  Thyself  therefore,  so  for  us,  art  Thou 
possessed  of  that  heavenly  glory:  as  Thou  sufferedst 
for  us,  so  for  us  Thou  also  reignest.  Let  every  knee 
therefore  bow  unto  Thee,  of  things  in  heaven,  and 
things  on  earth,  and  things  under  the  earth;  Phil.  ii. 
10.  O  blessed  be  Thy  name  for  ever  and  ever: 
Thine,  0  Lord,  is  the  greatness,  and  the  power,  and 
the  glory,  and  the  victory,  and  the  majesty;  for  all 
that  is  in  the  heaven,  and  in  the  earth  is  Thine:  Thine 
is  the  kingdom,  0  Lord,  and  Thou  art  exalted  as  head 
over  all;  1  Chr.  xxix.  11. 

And  now,  O  Saviour,  what  a  superabundant 
amends  is  made  to  Thy  glorified  Humanity,  for  all 
Thy  bitter  sufferings  upon  earth  !  Thine  agony  was 
extreme;  but  Thy  glory  is  infinite:  Thy  cross  was 
heavy;  but  Thy  crown  transcendently  glorious:  Thy 
pains  were  uncoj^ceivably  grievous,  but  short;  Thy 
glory  everlasting;  if  Thou  wert  scorned  by  men. 
Thou  art  now  adored  by  angels:  Thou  that  stoodest 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  a  Pilate,  shalt  come,  in 
all  heavenly  magnificence,  to  judge  both -.the  quick 
and  the  dead:  shortly,  Thou,  which  wouldest  stoop 
to  be  a  servant  upon '  earth,  rulest  and  reignest  for- 
ever in  heaven,  as  the  Kiug  of  Eternal  Glory. 

Heavenly  jMindedness. 

OTHEN,  my  soul,  seeing  thy  Saviour  is  received 
uj)  into  this  infinite  glory,  with  what  intention 
and  fervor  of  spirit  shoiddest  thou  fix  thine  eyes 
upon  that  heaven,  where  He  lives  and  reigns.     How 


JOSEPH    HALL.  73 

canst  thou  be  but  Avholly  taken  up  with  the  sio-ht 
and  thought  of  that  place  of  blessedness?  How 
canst  thou  abide  to  grovel  any  longer  on  this  base 
earth,  where  is  nothing  but  vanity  and  vexation;  and 
refrain  to  mind  the  things  above,  where  all  is  felicity 
and  glory?  With  what  longings  and  holy  ambition 
shouldest  thou  desire  to  aspire  to  that  place  of  eter- 
nal rest  and  beatitude,  into  which  thy  Saviour  is 
ascended;  and  with  Him  to  partake  of  that  glory 
and  happiness,  which  He  hath  provided  for  all  that 
love  Him !  O  Saviour,  it  is  this  clog  of  Avretched 
infidelity  and  earthliness,  that  hangs  heavy  upon  my 
soul;  and  keeps  me  from  mounting  up  into  Thy 
presence,  and  from  a  comfortable  fruition  of  Thee. 
Oh,  do  Thou  take  off  this  sinful  weight  from  me, 
and  raise  up  my  affections  and  conversation  unto 
Thee:  enable  me  constantly  to  enjoy  Thee,  by  a 
lively  faith,  here;  till,  by  Thy  mercy,  I  shall  be  re- 
ceived into  glory. 

Heavenly  Recognition. 

AS  then,  we  shall  perfectly  love  God,  and  His 
saints  in  Him,  so  shall  we  know  both:  and, 
though  it  be  a  sufficient  motive  of  our  love  in  heaven, 
that  we  knoAV  them  to  be  saints,  yet  it  seems  to  be 
no  small  addition  to  our  happiness,  to  knoAv  that 
those  saints  were  once  ours.  And,  if  it  be  a  just 
joy  to  a  parent  here  on  earth  to  see  his  child  gra- 
cious, how  much  more  accession  shall  it  be  to  his  joy 
above,  to  see  the  fruit  of  his  loins  glorious;  wdien 
both  his  love  is  more  pnre,  and  their  improvement 

4 


74  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

absolute!  Can  we  make  any  doubt,  that  the  blessed 
angels  know  each  other?  How  senseless  were  it,  to 
grant  that  no  knowledge  is  hid  from  them,  but  of 
themselves!  Or,  can  we  imagine  that  those  angeli- 
cal spirits  do  not  take  special  notice  of  those  souls, 
which  they  have  guarded  here,  and  conducted  to 
their  glory?  If  the}^  do  so,  and  if  the  knowledge 
of  our  beatified  souls  shall  be  like  to  theirs,  why 
should  we  abridge  our  souls  more  than  them,  of  the 
comfort  of  our  interknowing?  Surely,  our  dissolu- 
tion shall  abate  nothing  of  our  natural  faculties;  our 
glory  shall  advance  them,  so  as  what  we  once  knew 
we  shall  know  better:  and,  if  our  souls  can  then  per- 
fectly know  themselves,  why  should  they  be  denied 
the  knowledge  of  others? 

Doubt  not  then,  O  my  soul,  but  thou  shalt  once 
see,  besides  the  face  of  thy  God  whose  glory  fills 
heaven  and  earth,  the  blessed  spirits  of  the  ancient 
patriarchs  and  prophets;  the  holy  apostles  and 
evangelists;  the  glorious  martyrs  and  confessors; 
those  eminent  saints,  whose  holiness  thou  wert  wont 
to  magnify;  and  amongst  them,  those  in  Avhom  nature 
and  grace  have  especially  interested  thee:  thou  shalt 
see  them;  and  enjoy  their  joy,  and  they  thine.  How 
oft  have  I  measured  a  long  and  foul  journey,  to  see 
some  good  friend;  and  digested  the  tediousness  of  the 
way,  with  the  expectation  of  a  kind  entertainment, 
and  the  thought  of  that  complacenc}^  which  I  should 
take  in  so  dear  a  presence!  and  yet,  perhaps,  when 
I  have  arrived,  I  have  found  the  house  disordered, 
one   sick,   another    disquieted,    myself  indisposed: 


JOSEPH   Pli^LL.  75 

with  what  cheerful  resolution  should  I  undertake 
tills  my  last  voyage,  where  I  shall  meet  with  my 
best  friends,  and  find  them  perfectly  happy,  and 
myself  with  them ! 

The  Glory  of  Heaven. 

HOW  often  have  I  begged  of  my  God,  that  it 
would  please  Him  to  shew  me  some  little 
glimpse  of  the  glory  of  His  saints!  It  is  not  for 
me,  to  wish  the  sight,  as  yet,  of  the  face  of  that  Di- 
vine Majesty:  this  was  too  much  for  a  Moses  to  sue 
for:  my  ambition  only  is,  that  I  might,  if  but  as  it 
were,  through  some  cranny  or  key- hole  of  the  gate 
of  heaven,  see  the  happy  condition  of  His  glorious 
servants. 

I  know  what  hinders  me;  my  miserable  unworth- 
iness,  my  spiritual  blindness.  O  God,  if  Thou  please 
to  wash  oif  my  clay  with  the  waters  of  Thy  Siloam, 
I  shall  have  eyes:  and,  if  Thou  anoint  them  with 
Thy  precious  eye-salve,  those  eyes  shall  be  clear; 
and  enabled  to  behold  those  glories,  which  shall 
ravish  my  soul. 

And  now.  Lord,  what  pure  and  resplendent  light 
is  this,  wherein  Thy  blessed  ones  dwell !  How 
justly  did  Thine  ecstatical  apostle  call  it  the  inher- 
itance of  the  saints  in  light!  Col.  i.  12:  light  inex- 
pressible, light  unconceivable,  light  inaccessible! 
Lo,  Thou,  tliat  hast  prepared  such  a  light  to  this 
inferior  world,  for  the  use  and  comfort  of  us  mortal 
creatures,  as  the  glorious  sun,  which  can  both  en- 
lighten and   dazzle  the  eyes  of  all  beholders,  hast 


76  DEVOTIOx\AL    THOUGHTS. 

proportionally  ordained  a  light  to  that  higher  world, 
so  much  more  excellent  than  the  sun,  as  heaven  is 
above  earth,  immortality  above  corruption.  And,  if 
wise  Solomon  could  say,  Truly  the  light  is  siceet; 
and  a  j)leasant  thing  it  is  for  the  eyes  to  see  the  sun; 
Eccl.  xi.  7:  how  infinitely  delectable  is  it,  in  Thy 
light  to  see  such  light,  as  may  make  the  sun,  in  com- 
parison thereof,  darkness!  In  Thy  jpresence  is  the 
fulness  of  joy^  and  at  Thy  rigid  hand  are  pleasures 
for  evermore.  What  can  be  wished  more,  wdiere 
there  is  fulness  of  joy?  and,  behold.  Thy  presence, 

0  Lord,  yields  it. 

The  Saviour's  Sufferings  and  Glories. 

WHEN  I  think  on  my  Saviour,  in  His  agony, 
and  on  His  cross,  my  soul  is  so  clouded  with 
sorrow,  as  if  it  would  never  be  clear  again:  those 
bloody  drops,  and  those  dreadful  ejaculations,  me- 
thinks,  should  be  past  all  reach  of  comfort;  but 
when  I  see  His  happy  eluctation  out  of  these  pangs, 
and  hear  Him  cheerfully  rendering  His  spirit  into 
the  hands  of  His  Father;  when  I  find  Him  trampling 
upon  His  grave,  attended  with  glorious  angels,  and 
ascending  in  the  chariot  of  a  cloud  to  His  heaven; 

1  am  so  elevated  Avith  joy,  as  that  I  seem  to  have 
forgotten  there  was  ever  any  cause  of  grief  in  those 
sufferings.  I  could  })e  passionate  to  think,  O  Sa- 
viour, of  Thy  bitter  and  ignominious  death;  and, 
most  of  all,  of  Thy  vehement  strugglings  with  Thy 
Father's  wi'ath  for  my  sake;  but  Th}^  conquest  and 
glory,  takes  me  off,  and  calls  me  to  Hnllelujahs  of 


JOSEPH    11^  LL.  77 

joy  and  triumpli;  Blessing,  honor,  glory,  and  power 
be  unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto 
the  Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever;  Rev.  v.  13. 

Paradise. 

O  BLESSED  Jesus,  if  from  Avhat  Thou  hast  suf- 
fered for  me,  I  shall  cast  mine  eyes  upon  what 
Thou  hast  done  for  my  soul,  how  is  my  heart  divided 
betwixt  the  wonders  of  both!  and  may  as  soon  tell 
how  great  either  of  them  is,  as  whether  of  them  is 
the  greatest. 

And  oh,  Avhat  a  heaven  is  this,  that  Thou  hast  laid 
out  for  me;  how  resplendent,  how  transcendentl}^ 
glorious!  Even  that  lower  paradise,  which  Thou 
providest  for  the  harbor  of  innocence  and  holiness, 
was  full  of  admirable  beauty,  pleasure,  magnificence; 
but,  if  it  be  compared  with  this  paradise  above, 
which  Thou  hast  prepared  for  the  everlasting  enter- 
tainment of  restored  souls,  how  mean  and  beggarly 
it  was!  O  match  too  unequal,  of  the  best  piece  of 
earth  with  the  highest  state  of  the  heaven  of  heavens! 

In  the  earthly  paradise,  I  find  Thine  angels  the 
cherubim;  but  it  was  to  keep  man  ofi*  from  that  gar- 
den of  delight,  and  from  the  Tree  of  Life  in  the 
midst  of  it:  but,  in  this  heavenly  one,  1  find  millions 
of  thy  cherubim  and  seraphim  rejoicing  at  man's 
blessedness,  and  welcoming  the  glorified  souls  to 
their  heaven.  There,  I  find  but  the  shadow  of  that, 
whereof  the  substance  is  here.  There,  we  were  so 
possessed  of  life,  that  yet  we  might  forfeit  it:  here, 
is  life,  Avithout  all  possibility  of  death.     Temptation 


78  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

eould  find  access  thither:  here,  is  iiothiiiiy  but  a  free 
and  complete  fruition  of  blessedness.  There,  were 
delights  fit  for  earthly  bodies:  here,  is  glory,  more 
than  can  be  enjoyed  of  blessed  souls.  That  was 
watered  with  four  streams,  muddy  and  impetuous: 
in  this,  is  the  j[)iire  river  of  the  ivater  of  life]  clear  as 
crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of 
the  Lamb:  Rev.  xxii.  1.  There,  I  find  Thee  only 
walkino;  in  the  cool  of  the  day:  here,  manifestins: 
Thy  Majesty  continually.  There,  I  see  onl}^  a  most 
pleasant  orchard*,  set  with  all  manner  of  varieties 
of  flourishing  and  fruitful  plants:  here,  I  find  also 
the  city  of  God,  infinitely  rich  and  magnificent;  the 
building  of  the  wall  of  it  of  jasper;  and  the  city 
itself  pure  gold,  like  unto  clear  glass;  and  the  foun- 
dations of  the  wall  garnished  with  all  manner  of 
precious  stones. 

All  that  I  can  here  attain  to  see,  is  the  pavement 
of  Thy  celestial  habitation.  And,  Lord,  how  glorious 
it  is!  how  bespangled  with  the  glittering  stars;  for 
number,  for  magnitude  equally  admirable!  What 
is  the  least  of  them,  but  a  world  of  light?  and  what 
are  all  of  them,  but  a  confluence  of  so  many  thousand 
worlds  of  beauty  and  brightness,  met  in  one  firma- 
ment? And,  if  this  floor  of  Thy  heavenly  palace  be 
thus  richly  set  forth,  oh,  what  infinite  glory  and 
magnificence  must  there  needs  be  within!  Thy 
chosen  vessel,  that  had  the  privilege  to  be  caught 
up  thither,  and  to  see  that  divine  state,  whether  with 

•  Gardens  in  general  were  formerly  so  called. — Cattermolf 


JOSEPH    H^LL.  79 

bodily  or  mental  eyes,  can  express  it  no  otherwise, 
than  that  it  cannot  possibly  be  expressed.  No, 
Lord,'  it  were  not  infinite,  if  it  could  be  uttered. 
Thoughts  go  beyond  words;  yet  even  these  come  far 
short  also.  He,  that  saw  it,  says,  Eye  hath  not  seen, 
nor  ear  heard ,  neither  have  entered  into  the  heart  of 
man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them 
that  love  Him:  1  Cor.  ii.  9.' 

Unchangeable  Duration. 

IN  the  first  minute  wherein  we  live,  w^e  enter  upon 
an  eternity  of  being:  and,  though  at  the  first, 
throngh  the  want  of  the  exercise  of  reason,  we  can- 
not know  it;  and,  afterwards,  through  our  inconsid- 
eration  and  the  bewitching  businesses  of  time,  we  do 
not  seriously  lay  it  to  heart,  we  are  in  a  state  of 
everlastin^ness.  There  must,  upon  the  necessity  of 
our  mortality,  be  a  change  of  our  condition;  but, 
Avith  a  perpetuity  of  our  being:  the  body  must  un- 
dergo a  temporary  dissolution,  and  the  soul  a  remove 
either  to  bliss  or  torment;  but  both  of  them,  upon 
their  meeting,  shall  continue  in  an  unchangeable  du- 
ration for  ever  and  ever.  And,  if  we  are  wont  to 
slight  transitory  and  vanishing  commodities,  by  rea- 
son of  their  momentary  continuance,  and  to  make 
most  account  of  things  durable,  what  care  and  great 
thoughts  ought  I  to  bestow  upon  myself,  who  shall 
outlast  the  present  world!  and  how  ought  I  to  frame 
my  life  so,  as  it  may  fall  upon  an  eternity  infinitely 
happy  and  glorious!  .0  God,  do  Thou  set  off  my 
heart  from  all  these  earthly  vanities,  and  fix  it  above 


80  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

with  Thee.  As  there  shall  be  no  end  of  my  being, 
so  let  there  be  no  change  of  my  affections.  Let  them, 
beforehand,  take  possession  of  that  heaven  of  Thine, 
whereto  I  am  aspiring.  Let  nothing  but  this  clay 
of  mine  be  left  remaining  upon  this  earth,  whereinto 
it  is  mouldering.  Let  my  spiritual  part  be  ever  with 
Thee,  whence  it  came,  and  enter  upon  that  bliss, 
which  knows  neither  change  or  end. 

Rest  in  God. 

SPEAK,  Lord,  for  Thy  servant  hearetli:  what  is 
it,  which  Thou  wouldest  have  me  do,  that  I  may 
lind  rest  to  my  soul?  I  am  willing  to  exercise  my- 
self in  all  the  acts  of  piet}^,  Avhich  Thou  requirest: 
I  am  ready  to  fast,  to  pray,  to  read,  to  hear,  to 
meditate,  to  communicate,  to  give  alms,  to  exhort, 
admonish,  reprove,  comfort  where  Thou  bfddestme; 
and,  if  there  be  any  other  duty  appertaining  to  de- 
votion or  mercy,  let  me  serve  Thee  in  it:  but,  alas, 

0  my  God,  howsoever  I  know  these  works  are,  in 
themselves,  well-pleasing  unto  Thee;  yet,  as  they 
fall  from  my  wretchedness,  they  are  stained  with  so 
many  imperfections,  that  I  have  more  reason  to  crave 
pardon  for  them,  than  to  put  confidence  in  them;  and 
if  I  could  perform  them  never  so  exquisitely,  yet  one 
sin  is  more  than  enough  to  dash  all  my  obedience. 

1  see,  then,  O  Lord,  I  will  see,  there  is  no  act,  that 
I  can  be  capable  to  do  unto  Thee,  wherein  I  can  find 
any  repose:  it  must  be  Thine  act  to  me,  which  only 
can  effect  it.  It  is  Thy  gracious  word.  Come  unto 
me,  all  ye  that  hibor,  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  icill 


JOSEPH   HALL.  81 

give  you  rest:  Mtittli.  xi.  28.  Lo,  this  rest  must  be 
Thy  gift;  not  my  earning:  and  what  can  be  freer, 
than  gift?  Thou  givest  it  then,  but  to  those  that 
come  to  Thee;  not  k)  those  that  come  not;  to  those 
that  come  to  Thee  hxden  and  hiborins:  under  the  sense 
of  their  own  wretchedness;  not  to  the  proud  and 
careless.  O  Saviour,  Thy  sinner  is  sufficiently  laden, 
with  the  burden  of  his  iniquities:  lade  Thou  me  yet 
more  with  true  penitent  sorrow  for  my  sins;  and 
enable  me  then  to  come  unto  Thee  by  a  lively  faith. 
Take  Thou  the  praise  of  Thine  own  work.  Give  me 
the  grace  to  come;  and  give  me  rest,  in  coming. 

Life  a  Pilgrimage. 

OLOED  my  God,  I  am  as  very  a  pilgrim  as  ever 
walked  upon  Thy  earth:  why  should  I  look  to 
be  in. any  better  condition  than  my  neighbors,  than 
my  forefathers?  Even  the  best  of  them,  that  were 
most  fixed  upon  their  inheritance,  were  no  other  than 
strangers  at  home:  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  the 
world  to  naturalize  them;  much  less,  to  make  them 
enrol  themselves  free  denizens  here  below:  they 
knew  their  country,  Avhich  they  sought  was  above; 
so  infinitely  rich  and  pleasant,  that  these  earthly  re- 
gions, which  they  must  pass  through,  are,  in  com- 
parison, Avorthy  of  nothing  but  contempt:  Heb.  xi. 
13,  14,  15.  My  condition  is  no  other  than  theirs: 
I  wander  here,  in  a  strange  country;  what  wonder 
is  it,  if  I  meet  with  foreigners'  fare,  hard  usage  and 
neglect?  Wh}'^  do  I  intermeddle  with  the  affliirs  of 
a  nation,  that  is  not  mine?     Why  do  I  clog  m^^self, 

4* 


82  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

in  my  way,  with  the  base  and  heavy  himber  of  the 
world?  Why  are  not  my  affections  homeward?  Why 
do  I  not  long  to  see  and  enjoy  my  Father's  house? 

0  my  God,  Thou,  that  hast  put  «ie  into  the  state  of 
a  pilgrim,  give  me  a  pilgrim's  heart:  set  me  off  from 
this  wretched  world,  wherein  I  am:  let  me  hate  to 
think  of  dwelling  here:  let  it  he  my  only  care,  how 
to  pass  through  this  miserable  wilderness,  to  the 
promised  land  of  a  blessed  eternity. 

On  the  Length  of  the  Way. 

HOA\^  far  off  is  yonder  great  mountain!  My 
very  eye  is  weary  with  the  foresight  of  so 
great  a  distance;  yet  time  and  patience  shall  over- 
come it:  this  night  we  shall  hope  to  lodge  beyond 
it.  Some  things  are  more  tedious  in  their  expecta- 
tion, than  in  their  performance.  The  comfort  is, 
that  every  step  I  take  sets  me  nearer  to  my  end: 
when  I  once  come  there,  I  shall  both  forget  how 
long  it  now  seems,  and  please  myself  to  look  back 
upon  the  way  that  I  have  measured. 

It  is  thus  in  our  passage  to  heaven.  My  weak 
nature  is  ready  to  faint,  under  the  very  conceit  of 
the  length  and  difficulty  of  this  journey:  my  eye 
doth  not  more  guide  than  discourage  me.  Many 
steps  of  grace  and  true  obedience  shall  bring  mc 
insensibly  thither.  Only,  let  me  move,  and  hope; 
and  God's  good  leisure  shall  perfect  my  salvation. 

O  Lord,  give  me  to  possess  my  soul  with  patience; 
and  not  so  much  to  regard  speed,  as  certainty.  When 

1  come  to  the  top  of  Th}'  liol}^  hill,  all  these  weary 


JOSETH    II-ALL.  83 

paces  and   deep  sloughs,  shall  either  be  forgotten, 
or  contribute  to  my  happiness  in  their  remembrance. 

The  Divine  Love. 

OGOD,  hadst  Thou  sent  down  Thy  Son  to  this 
lower  region  of  earth  upon  such  terms,  as  that 
He  might  have  brought  down  heaven  with  Him;  that 
He  might  have  come  in  the  port  and  majesty  of  a 
God,  clothed  with  celestial  glory,  to  have  dazzled 
our  eyes,  and  to  have  drawn  all  hearts  unto  Him; 
this  might  have  seemed,  in  some  measure,  to  have 
sorted  with  His  divine  magnificence;  but  Thou 
Avouldest  have  Him  to  appear  in  the  wretched  con- 
dition of  our  humanity.  Yet,  even  thus,  hadst  Thou 
sent  Him  into  the  world  in  the  highest  estate  and 
pomp  of  royalty  that  earth  could  afford;  that  all 
the  kinoes  and  monarchs  of  the  world  should  have 
been  commanded  to  follow  His  train  and  to  glitter  in 
His  court;  and  that  the  knees  of  all  the  potentates 
of  the  earth  should  have  bowed  to  His  Sovereign 
Majesty,  and  their  lips  have  kissed  His  dust;  this 
might  have  carried  some  kind  of  appearance  of  a 
state  next  to  divine  greatness:  but  Thou  wouldest 
have  Him  come  in  the  despised  form  of  a  servant. 

And  Thou,  O  Blessed  Jesus,  wast  accordingly  will- 
ing, for  our  sakes,  to  submit  Thyself  to  nakedness, 
hunger,  thirst,  weariness,  temptation,  contempt,  be- 
traying, agonies,  scorn,  bufietings,  scourgings,  dis- 
tention, crucifixion,  death:  O  love  above  measure, 
without  example,  beyond  admiration!  Greater' love, 
Thou  sayest,  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a  man  lay 


84  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

doivn  his  life  for  his  friends;  but,  Oh,  Avliat  is  it 
then,  that  Thou,  who  wert  God  and  Man,  shouldest 
\i\j  down  Thy  life,  more  precious  than  many  worlds, 
for  Thine  enemies! 

Yet,  had  it  been  but  the  laying  down  of  a  life  in 
a  fair  and  gentle  way,  there  might  have  been  some 
mitigation  of  the  sorrow  of  a  dissolution.  There  is 
not  more  difference  betwixt  life  and  death,  than  there 
may  be  betwixt  some  one  kind  of  death  and  another. 
Thine,  O  dear  Saviour,  was  the  painful,  shameful, 
cursed  death  of  the  Cross;  wherein  yet  all  that  man 
could  do  unto  Thee  was  nothing  to  that  inward  tor- 
ment, which,  in  our  stead,  Thou  endurest  from  Thy 
Father's  wrath;  when,  in  the  bitterness  of  Thine 
anguished  soul,  Thou  criedst  out.  My  God^  my  God^ 
why  hast  Thou  forsaken  me9  Even  thus,  thus  wast 
Thou  content  to  be  forsaken,  that  we  wretched  sin- 
ners might  be  received  to  mercy:  O  love,  stronger 
than  death,  which  Thou  vanquishedst!  more  high, 
than  that  hell  is  deep,  from  which  Thou  hast  rescued 
us! 

I  am  swallowed  up,  O  God,  I  am  willingly  swal- 
lowed up,  in  this  bottomless  abyss  of  Thine  infinite 
love;  and  there  let  me  dwell,  in  a  perpetual -ravish- 
ment of  spirit;  till,  being  freed  from  this  clog  of 
earth,  and  filled  with  the  fulness  of  Christ,  I  shall 
be  admitted  to  enjoy  that,  which  I  cannot  now  reach 
to  wonder  at.  Thine  incomprehensible  bliss  and  glory 
which  Thou  hast  laid  up  in  the  highest  heavens  for 
them  that  love  Thee,  in  the  blessed  communion  of 
all  Thy  saints  and  angels,  Thy  cherubim    and  sera- 


JOSEPH    HALL.  85 

pliim,  thrones,  dominions,  and  principalities,  and 
powers;  in  the  beatifical  presence  of  Thee,  the  Ever- 
Living  God,  the  Eternal  Father  of  Spirits,  Father, 
Son,  Holy  Ghost,  One  Infinite  Deity  in  Three,  co- 
essentially,  co-eternally,  co-equally  glorious  Persons: 
To  whom  be  blessing,  honor,  glory,  and  power,  for 
ever  and  ever.     Amen.     Hallelujah. 


RICHARD  SIBBES,  D.  D. 
1577-1635. 

Gkace. 

PARKS  by  nature  fly  upwards;  so  the 
spirit  of  grace  carrietli  the  soul  heaven- 
ward, and  setteth  before  us  holy  and  heaven- 
ly aims :  as  it  was  kindled  from  heaven,  so  it 
carries  us  back  to  heaven.  The  part  folio v/- 
eth  the  whole :  fire  mounteth  upward,  so  every  spark 
to  its  own  element.  Where  the  aim  and  bent  of  the 
soul  is  God-wards,  there  is  grace  though  opposed. 
The  least  measure  of  it  is  holy  desires  springing  from 
faith  and  love,  for  "we  cannot  desire  anything  wdiich 
we  do  not  believe  first  to  be,  and  the  desire  of  it 
issues  from  love.  Hence  desires  are  counted  a  part 
of  the  thing  desired  in  some  measure,  but  then  they 
must  be,  first,  constant;  for  constancy  shows  that 
they  are  supernaturally  natural,  and  not  enforced: 
secondly,  they  must  be  carried  to  spiritual  things, 
as  to  believe,  to  love  God,  &c.,  not  out  of  a  special 
exigent,  because  if  now^  they  had  grace,  they  think 
they  might  escape  some  danger,  but  as  a  loving 
heart  is  carried  to  the  thins^  loved  for  some  ex- 
cellency  in  itself:   and  thirdly,  with  desire  there  is 


RICHAED    SIBBES.  87 

grief  when  it  is  hindered,  which  stirs  up  to  prayer: 
Oh  that  my  loays  ivere  so  directed^  that  I  might  heep 
Thy  statutes!  Psalm  cxix.  5;  O  miserable  man  that 
I  am^  who  shall  deliver?  <fec.  Rom.  vii.  24:  fourthly, 
desires  put  us  onward  still,  O  that  I  might  serve 
God  with  more  liberty;  O  that  I  were  more  free 
from  these  offensive,  unsavory,  noisome  lusts. 

The  Holy  Spirit  our  Guide. 

THE  Holy  Spirit  of  God  is  our  guide:  who  will 
displease  his  guide  ?  A  sweet  comfortable 
guide  that  leads  us  through  the  wilderness  of  this 
world;  as  the  cloud  before  the  Israelites  by  daj^ 
and  the  pillar  of  fire  by  night:  so  He  conducts  us 
to  the  heavenly  Canaan;  if  we  grieve  our  guide,  we 
cause  Him  to  leave  us  to  ourselves.  The  Israelites 
would  not  go  a  step  further  than  God  by  His  angel 
went  before  them.  It  is  in  vain  for  us  to  make 
toward  heaven  without  our  blessed  Guide;  we  can- 
not do,  nor  speak,  nor  think  anything  that  is  holy 
and  good  w^ithout  Him:  whatsoever  is  holy,  and 
pious,  it  grows  not  in  our  garden,  in  our  nature, 
but  it  is  planted  by  the  Spirit. 

There  is  nothing  in  the  world  so  great  and  sw^eet 
a  friend  that  will  do  us  so  much  good  as  the  Spirit, 
if  we  give  Him  entertainment.  Indeed  He  must  rule, 
He  will  have  the  keys  delivered  to  Him,  we  must 
"submit  to  His  government.  And  when  He  is  in  the 
heart.  He  will  subdue  by  little  and  little  all  high 
thoughts,  rebellious  risings,  and  despairing  fears. 
This   shall  be   our  happiness  in  heaven,  when  we 


88  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

shall  be  wholly  spiritiuil,  that  God  shall  be  all  in 
all;  we  shall  be  perfectly  obedient  to  the  Spirit  in 
onr  nnclerstandings,  wills,  and  affections.  The  Spirit 
will  then  dwell  largely  in  us,  and  will  make  the 
room  where  He  dwelleth  sweet,  and  lightsome,  and 
free,  subduing  whatsoever  is  contrary;  and  bring 
fulness  of  peace,  and  joy,  and  comfort.  And  in  the 
meantime  in  wliat  condition  soever  we  are,  we  shall 
have  suitable  help  from  the  Spirit.  We  are  partly 
flesh,  and  partly  spirit;  God  is  not  all  in  all,  the 
flesh  hath  a  part  in  us,  we  are  often  in  afflictions, 
and  under  clouds.  Let  us  therefore  prize  our  fel- 
lowship with  the  Spirit.  For  are  we  in  darkness? 
He  is  a  Spirit  of  light;  are  w^e  in  deadness  of 
spirit?  He  is  a  Spirit  of  life;  are  we  in  a  discon- 
solate estate?  He  is  a  Spirit  of  consolation;  are  we 
in  perplexity,  and  know  not  what  to  do?  He  is  a 
Spirit  of  wisdom;  are  we  troubled  with  corrup- 
tions? He  is  a  sanctifying,  a  subduing,  a  mortifying 
Spirit:  in  what  condition  soever  we  are,  He  will 
never  leave  us,  till  He  hath  raised  us  from  the 
grave,  and  taken  full  possession  of  body  and  soul 
in  heaven;  He  will  prove  a  comforter,  wdien  neither 
friends,  nor  riches,  nor  anything  in  the  world  can 
comfort  us.  How  careful  should  we  be  to  give  con- 
tentment to  this  sweet  Spirit  of  God. 

No  Christian  is  so  happy  as  the  w^atchful  Chris- 
tian that  is  careful  of  his  duty,  and  to  preserve  his 
communion  with  the  Holy  Sj^irit  of  God;  for  by  enter- 
taining Him,  he  is  sure  to  have  communion  with  the 
Father  and  the  Son.     It  is  the  happiest  condition  in 


RICHARD    SIBBEF.  89 

the  Avorkl,  when  the  soul  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  when  the  heart  is  as  the  Holy  of  Holies, 
where  there  be  prayers  and  praises  offered  to  God. 
The  soul  is  as  it  were  a  holy  ark,  the  memory  like 
the  pot  of  manna,  preserving  heavenly  truths.  It  is 
a  heavenly  condition,  a  man  prospers  to  heavenward, 
when  the  Spirit  of  God  is  Avith  him.  You  know 
Obed-Edom,  Avhen  the  ark  was  in  his  house,  all 
thrived  with  him:  so  Avhile  the  Spirit  and  His  mo- 
tions are  entertained  hy  us,  we  shall  be  happy  in 
life,  happy  in  death,  happy  to  eternity. 

Beholding  of  Christ,  a  Transforming  Sight. 

THE  very  beholding  of  Christ  is  a  transforming 
sight;  the  Spirit  that  makes  us  new  creatures, 
and  stirs  us  up  to  behold  this  SerA^ant,  it  is  a  trans- 
forming beholding,  if  Ave  look  upon  Him  with  the 
eye  of  faith,  it  Avill  make  us  like  Christ;  for  the 
Gospel  is  a  mirror,  and  such  a  mirror,  that  when  we 
look  into  it,  and  see  ourselves  interested  in  it,  ive 
are  changed  from  glory  to  glory;  a  man  cannot  look 
upon  the  love  of  God  and  of  Christ  in  the  Gospel, 
but  it  Avill  change  him  to  be  like  God  and  Christ; 
for  hoAV  can  Ave  see  Christ,  and  God  in  Christ,  but 
Ave  shall  see  hoAV  God  hates  sin,  and'  this  Avill  trans- 
form us  to  hate  it  as  God  doth,  Avho  hated  it  so  that 
it  could  not  be  expiated  but  with  the  blood  of  Christ, 
God-man;  so  seeing  the  holiness  of  God  in  it,  it  Avill 
transform  us  to  be  holy;  Avhen  Ave  see  the  loA^e  of 
God  in  the  Gospel,,  and  the  love  of  Christ  giAdng 
Himself  for  us,  this  Avill  transform  us  to  love  God; 


90  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

when  we  see  the  humility  and  obedience  of  Christ, 
when  we  look  on  Christ  as  God's  chosen  Servant  in 
all  this,  and  as  our  surety  and  Head,  it  ti'ansforms 
us  to  the  like  humility  and  obedience.  Those  that 
find  not  their  dispositions  in  some  comfortable  mea- 
sure wrought  to  this  blessed  transformation,  they 
have  not  yet  those  eyes  that  the  Holy  Ghost  requi- 
reth  here,  Behold  my  Servant  toJiom  I  have  chosen, 
my  Beloved  in  whom  my  soid  delighteth. 

Comfort  in  Distress. 

SPIRITUAL  comfort  in  distress,  such  as  the  world 
can  neither  give,  nor  take  away,  shows  that  God 
looks  upon  the  souls  of  His  with  another  eye  than 
He  beholdeth  others.  He  sends  a  secret  messeno^er 
that  reports  His  peculiar  love  to  their  hearts.  He 
knows  their  souls,  and  feeds  them  with  His  hidden 
manna;  the  inward  peace  they  feel  is  not  in  freedom 
from  trouble,  but  in  freencss  with  God  in  the  midst 
of  trouble. 

Pardoning  Mercy. 

CONCEIVE  of  God's  mercy  as  no  ordinary 
mercy,  and  Christ's  obedience  as  no  ordinary 
obedience.  Tliere  is  something  in  the  very  great- 
ness of  sin,  that  may  encourage  us  to  go  to  God, 
for  the  greater  our  sins  are,  the  greater  the  glory 
of  His  powerful  mercy,  pardoning,  and  His  powerful 
grace  in  healing  will  appear.  The  great  God  de- 
lights to  show  His  greatness  in  the  greatest  things; 
even   men   glory,    when  they  are   put   upon   that, 


IJICIIARD    bIBBKS.  '  91 

which  may  set  forth  their  worth  in  any  kind.  Gocl 
delighteth  in  mercy,  Mic.  vii.  18,  it  pleaseth  Him 
(nothing  so  well)  as  being  His  chief  name,  which 
then  we  take  in  vain,  Avhen  we  are  not  moved  by  it 
to  come  unto  Him. 

That  which  Satan  would  use  as  an  aro'ument  to 
drive  us  from  God,  we  should  use  as  a  strong  plea 
with  Him.  Lord,  the  greater  my  sins  are,  the 
greater  will  be  the  glory  of  Thy  pardoning  mercy. 
David,  after  his  heinous  sins,  cries  not  for  mercy, 
but  for  abundance  of  mercy,  according  to  the  multi- 
tude of  Thy  mercies,  do  cncay  mine  offences:  Psalm 
li:  His  mercy  is  not  only  above  His  own  w^orks,  but 
above  ours  too.  If  w^e  could  sin  more  than  He 
could  pardon,  then  we  might  have  some  reason  to 
despair.  Despair  is  a  high  point  of  atheism,  it 
takes  away  God  and  Christ  both  at  once.  Judas,  in 
betraying  our  Saviour,  was  an  occasion  of  His  death 
as  man,  but  in  despairing  he  did  what  lay  in  him  to 
take  away  His  life  as  God. 

When,  therefore,  conscience  joining  with  Satan, 
sets  out  the  sin  in  its  colors,  lal^or  thou  by  faith  to 
set  out  God  in  His  colors,  infinite  in  mercy  and 
loving  kindness. 

Prayer  and  Praise. 

THOUGH  in  evil  times  we  have  cause  to  praise 
God,  yet  so  we  are,  and  such  are  our  spirits, 
for  the  most  part,  that  affliction  straitens  our  hearts. 
Therefore  the  apostle  thought  it  the  fittest  duty  in 
affliction  to   pray.     Is  any  afflicted?  let  him  pray^ 


92  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

saith  James;  Is  any  joyfidf  let  him  sing  ])salms, 
James  v.  13;  showing  that  the  clay  of  rejoicing  is 
the  fittest  clay  of  praising  God.  Every  work  of  a 
Christian  is  beautiful  in  its  own  time;  the  graces  of 
Christianity  have  their  several  offices  at  several  sea- 
sons; in  trouble,  prayer  is  in  its  season;  in  the  evil 
clay  call  upon  me,  saith  God;  in  better  times  praises 
should  appear  and  show  themselves.  When  Gocl 
manifests  His  goodness  to  His,  He  gives  them  grace 
with  it,  to  manifest  their  thankfulness  to  Him. 
Praising  of  Gocl  is  then  most  comely,  though  never 
out  of  season,  when  God  seems  to  call  for  it,  by  re- 
newing the  sense  of  His  mercies  in  some  fresh  favor 
towards  us.  If  a  bird  will  sing  in  winter,  much 
more  in  the  spring;  if  the  heart  be  prepared  in 
the  winter  time  of  adversity  to  praise  God,  how 
ready  will  it  be  when  it  is  warmed  with  the  glorious 
sunshine  of  His  favor? 

Our  life  is  nothing  but  as  it  were  a  web  woven 
with  interminglings  of  Avants  and  favors,  crosses  and 
blessings,  standings  and  fallings,  combat  and  victor}^, 
therefore  there  should  be  a  perpetual  intercourse  of 
praying  and  praising  in  our  hearts.  There  is  alwaj-s 
a  ground  of  communion  with  God  in  one  of  these 
kinds,  till  we  come  to  that  condition  wherein  all 
Avants  shall  be  supplied,  where  indeed  is  only  mat- 
ter of  praise.  Yet  praising  God  in  this  life  hath 
this  prerogative,  that  here  Ave  praise  Him  in  the 
midst  of  His  enemies.  In  heaven  all  will  be  in  con- 
cert Avith  us.  God  esteems  it  an  honor  in  the  midst 
of  devils,  and  wicked  men,  whose  life  is  notliing  but  * 


EICIIARD    SIBBES.  93 

a   dishonor  of  Him,  to   have  those  that  will  make 
His  name  as  it  is  in  itself  so,  great  in  the  Avorld. 

David  comforts  himself  in  this,  that  he  should 
praise  God;  which  shows  he  had  inured  himself 
well  before  to  this  holy  exercise,  in  which  he  found 
such  comfort,  that  he  could  not  but  joy  in  the  fore- 
thoughts of  that  time,  wherein  he  should  have  fresh 
occasion  of  his  former  acquaintance  with  God. 
Thoughts  of  this  nature  enter  not  into  a  heart  that 
is  strange  to  God. 

Praising  God. 

SO  soon  as  we  set  upon  this  work,  we  shall  feel 
our  spirits  to  rise  higher  and  higher  as  the 
waters  in  the  sanctuary,  as  the  soul  grows  more  and 
more  heated;  see  how  David  riseth  by  degrees.  Be 
glad  in  the  Lord^  and  then,  rejoice^  ye  righteous,  and 
then,  shout  for  joy, all  ye  that  are  ujpright  in  heart; 
the  Spirit  of  God  will  delight  to  carry  us  along  in 
this  duty,  until  it  leaves  our  spirits  in  heaven, 
praising  God  with  the  saints  and  glorious  angels 
there;  To  him  that  hath  and  useth  it  shall  be  given; 
he  that  knoweth  God  aright,  will  honor  Him  by 
trusting  of  Him;  he  that  honors  Him  by  trusting 
Him,  will  honor  Him  by  praying;  and  he  that  hon- 
ors Him  l)y  prayer,  shall  honor  Him  b}^  praises;  he 
that  honors  Him  by  praises  here,  shall  perfect  His 
praises  in  heaven;  and  this  will  quit  the  lal)or  of 
setting  and  keeping  the  soul  in  tune;  this  trading 
with  God  is  the  richest  trade  in  the  world;  when 
we  return  praises  to  Him,  lie  returns  new  favors  to 


94  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

US,  and  so  an  everlastinor  ever-iiicreasiiio:  intercourse 
betwi:S:t  God  and  the  soul  is  maintained;  David  here 
resolved  to  praise  God,  because  he  had  assurance  of 
such  a  deliverance  as  would  yield  him  a  ground  of 
praising  Him. 

Praising  of  God  may  well  be  called  incense,  be- 
cause as  it  is  sweet  in  itself,  and  sweet  to  God,  so  it 
sweetens  all  that  comes  from  us.  Love  and  joy  are 
sweet  in  themselves,  though  those  whom  we  love 
and  joy  in,  should  not  know  of  our  affection,  nor 
return  the  like;  but  we  cannot  love  and  joy  in  God 
but  He  will  delight  in  us;  when  we  neglect  the 
praising  of  God,  we  lose  both  the  comfort  of  God's 
love,  and  our  own  too;  it  is  a  spiritual  judgment  to 
want  or  lose  the  sight  or  sense  of  God's  favors,  for 
it  is  a  sign  of  want  of  spiritual  life,  or  at  least  live- 
liness; it  shows  we  are  not  yet  in  the  state  of  those 
whom  God  hath  chosen,  to  set  forth  the  riches  of 
His  glory  upon. 

We  ought  not  only  to  give  thanks,  but  to  be 
thankful,  to  meditate  and  study  the  praises  of  God. 
Our  whole  life  should  be  nothing  else  but  a  con- 
tinual blessing  of  His  holy  name,  endeavoring  to 
bring  in  all  we  have,  and  to  lay  it  out  for  God  and 
His  people,  to  see  where  He  hath  any  receivers:  our 
goodness  is  nothing  to  God;  we  need  bring  no 
water  to  the  fountain,  nor  light  to  the  sun.  Thank- 
fulness is  full  of  invention,  it  deviseth  lil^eral  things, 
though  it  be  our  duty  to  be  good  stewards  of  our 
talents,  yet  thankfulness  adds  a  lustre,  and  a  more 


niCHARD    SIBBES.  95 

gracious  acceptance,  as  having  more  of  that  which 
God  calls  for. 

Our  praising  God  should  not  be  as  sparks  out  of 
a  flint,  but  as  water  out  of  a  spring,  natui-al,  ready, 
free,  as  God's  love  to  us  is;  mercy  pleases  Him,  so 
should  praise  please  us;  it  is  our  happiness  when 
the  best  part  in  us  is  exercised  about  the  best  and 
highest  w^ork;  it  was  a  good  speech  of  him  that 
said.  If  God  had  made  me  a  nightingale,  I  would 
have  suno^  as  a  niochtinofale,  but  now  God  hath  made 
me  a  man,  I  will  sing  forth  the  praises  of  God^  which 
is  the  work  of  a  saint  only:  all  Thy  icorks  bless 
Thee,  and  Thy  saints  praise  Thee:  all  things  are 
either  blessings  in  their  nature,  or  so  blessed,  as 
they  are  made  blessings  to  us  by  the  overruling 
coming  of  Him,  who  maketh  all  things  serviceable 
to  His;  even  the  worst  things  in  this  sense  are  made 
spiritual  to  God's  people  against  their  own  nature; 
how  great  is  that  goodness  which  makes  even  the 
worst  thino^s  o^ood? 

I  beseech  you  therefore  labor  to  be  men  of 
praises.  If  in  any  duty  we  may  expect  assistance, 
we  may  in  this,  that  altogether  concerns  God's 
glory;  the  more  we  praise  God,  the  more  we  shall 
please  Him.  When  God  by  grace  enlarges  the 
will.  He  intends  to  give  the  deed.  God's  children 
Avherein  their  wills  are  conformable  to  God's  will,  are 
sure  to  have  them  fulfilled.  In  a  fruitful  ground,  a 
man  will  sow  his  best  seed.  God  intends  His  own 
glory  in  every  mercy,  and  he  that  praises  Him,  glo- 
rifies Him.     When  our  wills  therefore  carry  us  to 


96  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

that  which  God  wills  above  all,  we  may  well  expect 
He  will  satisfy  our  desires.  The  living  God  is  a 
living  fountain  never  drawn  dry;  He  hath  never 
done  so  much  for  us,  but  He  can  and  will  do  more. 
If  there  be  no  end  of  our  praises,  there  shall  be  no 
end  of  His  goodness,  no  way  of  thriving- like  to 
this.  By  this  means  we  are  sure  never  to  be  very 
miserable;  how  can  he  be  dejected,  that  by  a  sweet 
communion  with  God  sets  himself  in  heaven?  nay, 
maketh  his  heart  a  kind  of  heaven,  a  temjyle^  a  holy 
of  holies^  wherein  incense  is  offered  unto  God?  It 
is  the  sweetest  branch  of  our  priestly  office,  to  offer 
up  these  daily  sacrifices;  it  is  not  only  the  begin- 
ning, but  a  further  entrance  of  our  heaven  upon 
earth,  and  shall  be  one  day  our  whole  employment 
for  ever. 

God  our  Refuge. 

THERE  is  none  of  us  all  but  may  some  time  or 
other  fall  into  such  a  great  extremity,  that  when 
we  look  about  us,  we  shall  find  none  to  help  us:  at 
which  time  w^e  shall  thoroughly  know  what  it  is  to 
have  comfort  from  heaven,  and  a  God  to  go  unto. 
If  there  be  anything  in  the  world  worth  laboring 
for,  it  is  the  getting  sound  evidence  to  our  souls 
that  God  is  ours.  What  madness  is  it  to  spend  all 
our  labor,  to  possess  ourselves  of  the  cistern  when 
the  fountain  is  offered  to  us.  O  beloved,  the  whole 
w^orld  cannot  weigh  against  this  one  comfort,  that 
God  is  ours.  All  tilings  laid  in  the  other  balance, 
w^ould  be   too   light.     A  moth  may  corrupt,  a  thief 


RICHARD    SIBBES.  97 

may  take  away  that  we  have  here,  but  who  can  take 
our  God  away?  though  God  doth  convey  some  com- 
fort to  us  by  these  things,  yet  when  they  are  gone, 
He  reserves  the  comfort  in  Himself  still,  and  can 
convey  that,  and  more,  in  a  purer  and  sweeter  way, 
where  He  plants  the  grace  of  faith  to  fetch  it  from 
Him.  Why  then  should  we  weaken  our  interest  in 
God,  for  anything  this  earth  affords?  Avhat  unwor- 
thy wretches  are  those,  that  to  please  a  sinful  man. 
or  to  feed  a  base  lust,  or  to  yield  to  a  wicked  cus- 
tom, will,  as  much  as  in  them  lieth,  lose  their  inte- 
rest in  God?  such  little  consider  what  an  excellent 
privilege  it  is  to  have  a  sure  refuge  to  fly  unto  in 
time  of  trouble.  Labor  therefore  to  bring  thy  soul 
to  this  point  with  God:  Lord^  if  Thou  seest  it  fit^ 
take  aivay  all  from  me,  so  Thou  leavest  me  Thyself: 
ivhom  have  I  in  heaven  hut  Thee,  and  there  is  none 
on  earth  that  I  desire  in  comparison  of  Thee? 

Spiritual  Desertion. 

IN  time  of  desertion  put  Christ  betwixt  God  and 
thy  soul,  and  learn  to  appeal  from  God  out  of 
Christ,  to  God  in  Christ.  Lord,  look  upon  my  Sav- 
iour, that  is  near  unto  Thee  as  Thy  Son,  near  to  me 
as  my  brother,  and  now  intercedes  at  Thy  right 
hand  for  me;  though  I  have  sinned,  yet  He  hath 
suffered,  and  shed  His  precious  blood  to  make  my 
peace.  When  we  are  in  any  trouble,  let  us  still  wait 
on  Him,  and  lie  at  His  feet,  and  never  let  Him  go 
till  He  casts  a  gracious  look  upon  us. 


98  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

God  our  Portion. 

IN  the  division  of  things  God  bequeaths  Himself 
to  those  that  are  His,  for  their  portion,  as  the 
best  portion  He  can  give  them.  There  are  many 
goodly  things  in  the  world,  but  none  of  these  are  a 
Christian's  portion;  there  is  in  Him  to  supply  all 
good,  and  remove  all  ill,  until  the  time  come  that 
we  stand  in  need  of  no  other  good.  It  is  our  chief 
wisdom  to  know  Him,  our  holiness  to  love  Him,  our 
happiness  to  enjoy  Him.  There  is  in  Him  to  be  had 
whatsoever  can  truly  make  us  happ}^  We  go  to  our 
treasure,  and  our  portion  in  all  our  wants,  we  live 
by  it,  and  value  ourselves  by  it.  God  is  such  a  por- 
tion, that  the  more  we  spend  on  Him,  the  more  we 
may.  Our  strength  may  fail,  and  our  heart  mayfail^ 
but  God  is  our  po7^tion  forever:  Psalm  Ixxiii.  26. 
Every  thing  else  teaches  us  by  the  vanity  and  vexa- 
tion we  find  in  them,  that  our  happiness  is  not  in 
them;  they  send  us  to  God;  they  may  make  us 
worse,  but  better  they  cannot.  Our  nature  is  above 
them,  and  ordained  for  a  greater  good;  they  can  go 
but  along  with  us  for  a  while,  and  their  end  swal- 
lows up  all  the  comfort  of  their  beginning,  as 
Pharaoh's  lean  kine  swallowed  up  the  fat.  If  we 
have  no  better  portion  here  than  these  things,  we 
are  like  to  have  hell  for  our  portion  hereafter. 
What  a  shame  will  it  be  hereafter  when  we  are 
stript  of  all,  that  it  should  be  sa*id,  Lo,  this  is  the 
man  that  took  not  God  for  his  portion.  If  God  be 
once  ours.  He  goes  for  ever  along  with  us,  and  when 
earth  will   hold  us  no  loiio-or,  heaven  shall.     Who 


RICHARD    SIBBE8.  99 

that  hath  his  senses  about  him,  would  perish  for 
want  of  water,  when  there  is  a  fountain  by  him?  or 
for  hunofer,  that  is  at  a  feast?  God  alone  is  a  rich 
portion;  O  then  let  us  labor  for  a  large  faith,  as  we 
have  a  large  object;  if  we  had  a  thousand  times 
more  faith,  we  should  have  a  thousand  times  more 
increase  of  God's  blessings.  When  the  prophet 
came  to  the  icidow^s  house,  as  many  vessels  as  she 
had  ivere  filled  ivitJi  oil:  1  Kings  xvii.  14:  we  are 
straitened  in  our  own  faith,  but  not  straitened  in  our 
God.  It  falls  out  oft  in  this  world  that  God's  peo- 
ple are  like  Israel  at  the  Eed  Sea,  environed  w^ith 
dantrers  on  all  sides:  what  course  have  we  then  to 
take  but  only  to  look  up  and  wait  for  the  salvation 
of  our  God?  This  is  a  breast  full  of  consolation; 
let  us  teach  our  hearts  to  suck,  and  draw  comfort 
from  hence. 

Is  God  our  God;  and  will  He  suffer  anything  to 
befall  us  for  our  hurt?  Will  He  lay  any  more  upon 
us,  than  He  gives  us  strength  to  bear?  Will  he  suf- 
fer any  wdnd  to  blow  upon  us  but  for  good?  Doth 
He  not  set  us  before  His  face?  Will  a  father  or 
mother  suifer  a  child  to  be  wronged  in  their  pre- 
sence, if  they  can  help  it?  Will  a  friend  suffer  his 
friend  to  be  injured,  if  he  may  redress  him?  And 
will  God,  that  hath  put  these  affections  into  parents 
and  friends,  neglect  tlie  care  of  those  He  hath  taken 
so  near  unto  Himself?  No  surely,  His  eyes  arc  open 
to  look  upon  their  condition;  His  ears  are  open  to 
their  prayers;  a  hoolc  of  rememhrance,  Mai.  iii.  IG, 
is  written  of  all  their  good   desires,   speeches,  and 


100  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

actions;  He  hath  bottles  for  all  their  tears,  their 
very  sighs  are  not  Jiid  from  Him;  He  hath  written 
them  upon  the  loalms  of  His  hands,  and  cannot  but 
continually  look  upon  them.  Oh  let  us  prize  the 
favor  of  so  good  a  God,  who  though  He  dwells  on 
high  yet  will  regard  things  so  low,  and  not  neglect 
the  mean  estate  of  any;  nay,  especially  delights  to 
be  called  the  Comforter  of  His  elect,  and  the  God 
of  those  that  are  in  misery,  and  have  none  to  fly 
unto  but  Himself. 

Comfort  in  the  Hour  of  Death. 

IT  is  a  comfort  in  the  hour  of  death,  that  we  yield 
up  our  souls  to  Christ,  who  has  gone  before  to 
provide  a  place  for  us:  this  was  one  end  of  His 
being  taken  up  to  heaven,  to  provide  a  place  for  us. 
Therefore,  when  we  die,  we  have  not  a  place  to  seek, 
our  house  is  provided  beforehand;  Christ  was  taken 
up  to  glory,  to  provide  glory  for  us.  Even  as  para- 
dise was  provided  for  Adam  before  he  was  made,  so 
we  have  a  heavenly  paradise  provided  for  us;  we 
had  a  place  in  heaven  before  we  were  born.  What 
a  comfort  is  this  at  the  hour  of  death,  and  at  the 
death  of  our  friends,  that  they  are  gone  to  Christ 
and  to  glory!  We  were  shut  out  of  the  first  para- 
dise by  the  first  Adam;  our  comfort  is,  that  now  the 
heavenly  paradise  in  Christ  is  open.  TJds  day  shalt 
thou  he  with  me  in  jparadise,  saith  Christ  to  the  pen- 
itent thief.  There  was  an  angel  to  keep  paradise 
when  Adam  was  shut  out;  but  there  is  none  to  keep 
us  out  of  heaven;  nay,  the  angels  are  ready  to  con- 


RICHARD    SIBBEg,  JOl 

voy  our  souls  to  heaven,  as  they  did  Lazarus;  and 
as  they  accomiDanied  Christ  in  His  ascension  to  hea- 
ven, so  they  do  the  souls  of  His  children. 


JEREMY  TAYLOR,  D.  D.. 
1613-1667. 

Pkayers.     I. 

JL^LESSED  and  most  Holy  Jesus,  foun- 
tain of  grace  and  comfort,  treasure  of 
wisdom  and  spiritual  emanations,  be  pleas- 
ed to  abide  with  me  for  ever  by  the  inhab- 
itation of  Thy  interior  assistances  and  re- 
freshments; give  me  a  corresponding  love,  accept- 
able and  unstained  purity,  care  and  watchfulness 
over  my  ways,  that  I  may  never,  by  provoking 
Thee  to  anger,  cause  Thee  to  remove  Thy  dwell- 
ing, or  draw  a  cloud  before  thy  holy  face.  But  if 
Thou  art  pleased,  upon  a  design  of  charity,  or 
trial,  to  cover  my  eyes,  that  I  may  not  behold 
the  bright  rays  of  Thy  favor,  nor  be  refreshed 
with  spiritual  comforts,  let  Thy  love  support  my 
spirit  by  ways  insensible,  and  in  all  my  needs 
give  me  such  a  portion  as  may  be  instrumental 
and  incentive  to  performance  of  my  duty;  and  in 
all  accidents  let  me  continue  to  seek  Thee  by 
prayers,  and  humiliation,  and  frequent  desires,  and 
the  strictness  of  a  holy  life ;  that  I  may  follow  Thy 
example,  pursue  Thy  footsteps,  be  supported  by 
Thy  strength,  guided  by  Thy  hand,  enlightened  by 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  103 

Thy  favor,  and  may  at  last,  after  a  persevering  holi- 
ness and  an  unwearied  industry,  dwell  with  Thee  in 
the  regions  of  light,  and  eternal  glory,  wdiere  there 
shall  be  no  fears  of  parting  from  the  habitations  of 
felicity,  and  the  union  and  fruition  of  Thy  presence, 
O  blessed  and  most  holy  Jesus.     Amen. 

II. 

O  ETERNAL  Jesus,  Thou  bright  image  of  Thy 
Father's  glories,  whose  light  did  shine  to  all 
the  world,  when  Thy  heart  was  inflamed  w^ith  zeal 
and  love  of  God  and  of  religion,  let  a  coal  from 
Thine  altar,  fanned  with  the  wings  of  the  holy  dove, 
kindle  in  my  soul  such  holy  flames,  that  I  may  be 
zealous  of  Thy  honor  and  glory,  forward  in  religious 
duties,  earnest  in  their  pursuit,  prudent  in  their 
managing,  ingenuous  in  my  purposes,  making  my  re- 
ligion to  serve  no  end  but  of  Thy  glories,  and  the 
obtaming  of  Thy  promises:  and  so  sanctify  my  soul 
and  my  bod}^,  that  I  may  be  a  holy  temple,  fit  and 
prepared  for  the  inhabitation  of  Thy  ever-blessed 
Spirit;  whom  grant  that  I  may  never  grieve  by  ad- 
mitting any  impure  thing  to  desecrate  the  place,  and 
inihallow  the  courts  of  His  abode;  but  give  me  a 
pure  soul  in  a  chaste  and  healthful  body,  a  spirit  full 
of  holy  simplicity,  and  designs  of  great  ingenuity, 
and  perfect  religion,  that  I  may  intend  what  Thou 
commandest,  and  may  with  proper  instruments  prose- 
cute what  I  so  intend,  and  hy  Thy  aids  may  obtain 
the  end  of  my  labors,  the  rewards  of  obedience  and 
holy  living,  even  the  society  and  inheritance  of  Jesus 


104  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

in  the  participation  of  the  joys  of  Thy  temple,  where 
Thou  dwellest  and  reignest  with  the  Father  and  the 
-Holy  Ghost,  O  eternal  Jesus.     Amen. 

III. 

O  ETERNAL  God,  Avho  dwellest  not  in  temples 
made  by  hands,  the  heaven  of  heavens  is  not 
able  to  contain  Thee,  and  yet  Thou  art  pleased  to 
manifest  Thy  presence  amongst  the  sons  of  men  by 
special  issues  of  Thy  favor  and  benediction.  Make 
my  body  and  soul  to  be  a  temple  pure  and  holy,  apt 
for  the  entertainments  of  the  Holy  Jesus,  and  for  the 
habitation  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Lord,  be  pleased, 
with  Thy  rod  of  paternal  discipline,  to  cast  out  all 
impure  lusts,  all  worldly  affections,  all  covetous  de- 
sires, from  this  Thy  temple;  that  it  may  be  a  place 
of  prayer  and  meditation,  of  holy  appetites  and  chaste 
thoughts,  of  pure  intentions  and  zealous  desires  of 
pleasing  Thee;  that  I  may  become  also  a  sacrifice  as 
Avell  as  a  temple,  eaten  up  with  the  zeal  of  Thy 
glory,  and  consumed  with  the  fire  of  love;  that  not 
one  thought  may  be  entertained  by  me  but  .such  as 
may  be  like  perfume  breathing  from  the  altar  of  in- 
cense, and  not  a  word  may  pass  from  me  but  may 
have  the  accent  of  heaven  upon  it,  and  sound  pleas- 
antly in  Thy  ears.  O  dearest  God,  fill  every  faculty 
of  my  soul  with  impresses,  dispositions,  capacities, 
and  ajDtnesses  of  religion:  and  do  Thou  hallow  my 
soul,  that  I  may  be  possessed  with  zeal  and  religious 
affections,  loving  Thee  above  all  things  in  the  world, 
worshiping  Thee  with  the  humblest  adorations  and 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  105 

frequent  addresses,  continually  feeding  upon  the 
apprehensions  of  the  divine  sweetness,  and  consider- 
ations of  Thy  infinite  excellencies,  and  observations 
of  Thy  righteous  commandments,  and  the  feast  of 
a  holy  conscience,  as  an  antepast  of  eternity,  and 
consignation  to  the  joys  of  heaven,  through  Jesus 
'Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

IV. 

OHOLY  Jesus,  fountain  of  eternal  life.  Thou 
spring  of  joy  and  spiritual  satisfactions,  let  the 
holy  stream  of  blood  and  water  issuing  from  Thy 
sacred  side  cool  the  thirst,  soften  the  hardness,  and 
refresh  the  barrenness  of  my  desert  soul;  that  I, 
thirsting  after  Thee,  as  the  wearied  hart  after  the 
cool  stream,  may  despise  all  the  vainer  complacencies 
of  this  world,  refuse  all  societies  but  such  as  are  safe, 
pious,  and  charitable,  mortify  all  sottish  appetites, 
and  may  desire  nothing  but  Thee,  seek  none  but 
Thee,  and  rest  in  Thee  with  entire  dereliction  of  my 
own  caitiff  inclinations;  that  the  desires  of  nature 
may  pass  into  desires  of  grace,  and  my  thirst  and 
my  hunger  may  be  spiritual,  and  my  hopes  placed 
in  Thee,  and  the  expresses  of  my  charity  upon  Thy 
relatives,  and  all  the  parts  of  my  life  may  speak  my 
love  and  obedience  to  Thy  commandments:  that 
Thou  possessing  my  soul  and  all  its  faculties  during 
my  whole  life,  I  may  possess  Thy  glories  in  the 
fruition  of  a  blessed  eternity;  by  the  light  of  Thy 
gospel  here  and  the  streams  of  Thy  grace  being 
guided  to  Thee,  the  fountain  of  life  and  glory,  there 

5* 


106  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

to  be  inebriated  with  the  waters  of  Paradise,  with 
joy,  and  love,  and  contemphition,  adoring  and  ad- 
miring the  beauties  of  the  Lord  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 

V. 

O  BLESSED  Jesus,  who  art  become  to  us  the 
fountain  of  peace  and  sanctity,  of  righteousness 
and  charity,  of  life  and  perpetual  benediction,  im- 
print in  our  spirits  these  glorious  characterisms  of 
Christianity,  that  we  by  such  excellent  dispositions 
may  be  consigned  to  the  infinity  of  blessedness  which 
Tliou  camest  to  reveal,  and  minister,  and  exhibit  to 
manldnd.  Give  us  great  humility  of  spirit;  and 
deny  us  not,  when  w^e  beg  sorrow  of  Thee,  the 
mourning  and  sadness  of  true  penitents,  that  we  may 
imitate  Thy  excellencies,  and  conform  to  Thy  suffer- 
ings. Make  us  meek,  patient,  indifferent,  and  resign- 
ed in  all  accidents,  changes,  and  issues  of  divine 
Providence.  Mortify  all  inordinate  anger  in  us;  all 
^vi'ath,  strife,  contention,  murmuriugs,  malice,  and 
envy;  and  interrupt,  and  then  blot  out  all-peevish 
dispositions  and  morosities,  all  disturbances  and  un- 
evenness  of  spirit  or  of  habit,  tliat  may  hinder  us  in 
our  duty.  Oh!  teach  me  so  to  hunger  and  thirst 
after  the  ways  of  rigliteousness,  that  it  may  be  meat 
and  drink  to  me  to  do  Thy  Father's  will.  Raise  my 
affections  to  heaven  and  heavenly  things,  fix  my 
heart  there,  and  prepare  a  treasure  for  me,  which  I 
may  receive  in  the  great  diffusions  and  communica- 
tions of  Thy  glory.     And  in  this  sad  interval  .of  in- 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  107 

firmity  and  temptations  strengthen  my  hopes,  and 
fortify  my  faith,  by  such  emissions  of  light  and  grace 
from  Thy  Spirit,  that  I  may  relish  those  blessings 
which  Thou  preparest  for  Thy  saints  with  so  great 
appetite,  that  I  may  despise  the  world  and  all  its 
gilded  vanities,  and  may  desire  nothing  but  the  crown 
of  righteousness  and  the  paths  that  lead  thither,  the 
graces  of  TJiy  kingdom,  and  the  glories  of  it;  that 
when  I  have  served  Thee  in  holiness  and  strict  obe- 
dience, I  may  reign  with  Thee  in  the  glories  of  eter- 
nity: for  Thou,  O  holy  Jesus,  art  our  hope,  and  our 
life  and  glory,  our  exceeding  great  reward.      Amen. 

VI. 

O  ETERNAL  Jesus,  Who  art  made  unto  us  wis- 
dom, righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemp- 
tion, give  us  of  Thy  abundant  charity,  that  we  may 
love  the  eternal  benefit  of  our  brother's  soul  with  a 
true,  diligent  and  affectionate  care  and  tenderness. 
Give  us  a  fellow-feeling  of  one  another's  calamities, 
a  readiness  to  bear  each  other's  burdens,  aptness  to 
forbear,  wisdom  to  advise,  counsel  to  direct,  and  a 
spirit  of  meekness  and  modesty  trembling  at  our  in- 
firmities, fearful  in  our  brother's  dangers,  and  joyful 
in  his  restitution  and  securities.  Lord,  let  all  our 
actions  be  pious  and  prudent,  ourselves  wise  as  ser- 
pents, and  innocent  as  doves,  and  our  whole  life  ex- 
emplary, and  just,  and  charitable;  that  we  may,  like 
lamps  shining  in  Thy  temple,  serve  Thee  and  en- 
lighten others,  and  guide  them  to  Thy  sanctuary; 
and   that,    shining   clearly,  and  burning  zealously, 


108  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

when  the  Bridegroom  shall  come  to  biucl  up  His 
jewels,  and  beautify  His  spouse,  and  gather  His 
saints  together,  we,  and  all  Thy  Christian  people 
knit  in  holy  fellowship,  may  enter  into  the  joy  of 
our  Lord,  and  partake  of  the  eternal  refreshments 
of  the  kingdom  of  light  and  glory,  where  Thou,  O 
holy  and  eternal  Jesus,  livest  and  reignest  in  the  ex- 
cellencies of  a  kingdom,  and  the  infinite  durations 
of  eternity.     Amen. 

vn. 

BLESS  me,  gracious  God,  in  my  calling  to  such 
purposes  as  Thou  shalt  choose  for  me,  or  em- 
ploy me  in:  relieve  me  in  all  my  sadnesses;  make 
my  bed  in  my  sickness;  give  me  patience  in  m}^  sor- 
rows, confidence  in  Thee,  and  grace  to  call  upon 
Thee  in  all  temptations.  O  be  Thou  my  guide  in  all 
my  actions;  my  protector  in  all  dangers;  give  me  a 
healthful  body,  and  a  clear  understanding;  a  sancti- 
fied and  just,  a  charitable  and  humble,  a  religious 
and  contented  spirit;  let  not  my  life  be  miserable 
and  wretched;  nor  my  name  stained  with  -sin  and 
shame;  nor  my  condition  lifted  up  to  a  tempting 
and  dangerous  fortune:  but  let  my  condition  be 
blessed,  my  conversation  useful  to  my  neighbors, 
and  pleasing  to  Thee;  that  when  my  body  shall  lie 
down  in  its  bed  of  darkness,  my  soul  may  pass  into 
the  regions  of  light,  and  live  with  Thee  for  ever, 
throu2fh  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.,  109 

VIII. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  Father  and  Lord  of  all  the 
creatures,  who  hast  disposed  all  things  and 
all  chances  so  as  may  best  glorify  Thy  wisdom,  and 
serve  the  ends  of  Thy  justice,  and  magnify  Thy 
mercy  by  secret  and  indiscernible  ways,  bringing 
good  out  of  evil,  I  most  humbly  beseech  Thee  to 
give  me  wisdom  from  above,  that  I  may  adore  Thee 
and  admire  Thy  ways  and  footsteps,  which  are  in 
the  great  deep  and  not  to  be  searched  out:  teach 
me  to  submit  to  Thy  providence  in  all  tilings,  to  bo 
content  in  all  changes  of  person  and  condition,  to 
be  temperate  in  prosperity,  and  to  read  my  duty  in 
the  lines  of  Thy  merc}^;  and  in  adversity  to  be 
meek,  patient,  and  resigned;  and  to  look  through 
the  cloud,  that  I  may  wait  for  the  consolation  of 
the  Lord  and  the  day  of  redemption;  in  the  mean- 
time doing  my  duty  with  an  unwearied  diligence, 
and  an  undisturbed  resolution,  having  no  fondness 
for  the  vanities  or  possessions  of  this  world,  but 
laying  up  my  hopes  in  heaven  and  the  rewards  of 
holy  living,  and  being  strengthened  with  the  spirit 
of  the  inner  man,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

Evening  Prayers.     I. 

OETEENAL  God,  great  Father  of  men  and 
angels,  who  hast  established  the  heavens  and 
the  earth  in  a  wonderful  order,  making  day  and 
night  to  succeed  each  other;  I  make  my  humble 
address  to  Thy  Divine   Majesty,  begging  of  Thee 


110  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

mercy  and  protection  this  night  and  ever.  O  Lord, 
pardon  all  my  sins,  my  light  and  rash  words,  the 
vanity  and  impiety  of  my  thoughts,  my  unjust  and 
uncharitable  actions,  and  whatsoever  I  have  trans- 
gressed against  Thee  this  day,  or  at  any  time  before. 
Behold,  O  God,  my  soul  is  troubled  in  the  remem- 
brance of  my  sins,  in  the  frailty  and  sinfulness  of 
my  flesh,  exposed  to  every  temptation,  and  of  itself 
not  able  to  resist  any.  Lord  God  of  mercy,  I  earn- 
estly beg  of  Thee  to  give  me  a  great  portion  of  Thy 
grace,  such  •as  maybe  sufficient  and  efiectual  for  the 
mortification  of  all  my  sins  and  vanities  and  disor- 
ders, that  as  I  have  formerly  served  my  lust  and 
unworthy  desires,  so  now  I  may  give  myself  up 
wholly  to  Thy  service  and  the  studies  of  a  holy  life. 

11. 

INTO  Thy  hands,  most  blessed  Jesus,  I  commend 
my  soul  and  body,  for  Thou  hast  redeemed  both 
with  Thy  precious  blood.  So  bless  and  sanctify  my 
sleep  unto  me  that  it  may  be  temperate,  holy,  and 
safe;  a  refreshment  to  my  wearied  body,  to  'enable 
it  so  to  serve  my  soul,  that  both  may  serve  Thee 
with  a  never-failing  duty.  Oh,  let  me  never  sleep 
in  sin  or  death  eternal,  but  give  me  a  watchful  and 
a  prudent  spirit,  that  I  may  omit  no  opportunity  of 
serving  Thee;  that  whether  I  sleep  or  awake,  live 
or  die,  I  may  be  Thy  servant  and  Thy  child;  that 
when  the  work  of  my  life  is  done,  I  may  rest  in  the 
bosom  of  my  Lord,  till  by  the  voice  of  the  arch- 
angel, the  trump  of  God,  I  shall  be  awakened,  and 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  HI 

called  to  sit  down  and  feast  in  the  eternal  snpper 
of  the  Lamb.  Grant  this,  O  Lamb  of  God,  for  the 
lionor  of  Thy  mercies,  and  the  glory  of  Thy  name, 
O  most  merciful  Saviour  and  Redeemer  Jesus. 
Amen. 

Prayer  for  Oxe  in  Trouble. 

O  ETERNAL  God,  Father  of  mercies,  and  God 
of  all  comfort,  with  much  mercy  look  upon 
the  sadnesses  and  sorrows  of  Thy  servant.  My  sins 
lie  heavy  upon  me,  and  press  me  sore,  and  there  is 
no  health  in  my  bones  by  reason  of  Thy  displeasure 
and  my  sin.  The  waters  are  gone  over  me,  and  I 
stick  fast  in  the  deep  mire,  and  my  miseries  are 
without  comfort,  because  they  are  punishments  of 
my  sin:  and  I  am  so  evil  and  unworthy  a  person, 
that  though  I  have  great  desires,  yet  I  have  no  dis- 
positions or  worthiness  toward  receiving  comfort. 
My  sins  have  caused  my  sorrow,  and  my  sorrow 
does  not  cure  my  sins;  and  unless  for  Thine  own 
sake,  and  merely  because  Thou  art  good.  Thou  shalt 
pity  me  and  relieve  me,  I  am  as  much  without  rem- 
edy as  now  I  am  without  comfort.  Lord,  pity  me! 
Lord,  let  Thy  grace  refresh  my  spirit!  Let  Thy 
comforts  support  me.  Thy  mercy  pardon  me,  and 
never  let  my  portion  be  amongst  hopeless  and 
accursed  spirits;  for  Thou  art  good  and  gracious, 
and  I  throw  myself  upon  Thy  mercy.  Let  me 
never  let  my  hold  go,  and  do  Thou  w^ith  me  what 
seems  good  in  Thine  own  eyes.  I  cannot  suffer 
more  than  I  have  deserved:  and  yet  I  can  need  no 


112  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

relief  so  great  as  Thy  mercy  is;  for  Thou  art  infin- 
itely more  merciful  than  I  can  be  miserable,  and 
Thy  mercy,  which  is  above  all  Thy  own  works, 
must  needs  be  far  above  all  my  sin  and  all  my 
misery.  Dearest  Jesus,  let  me  trust  in  Thee  for 
ever,  and  let  me  never  be  confounded.     Amen. 

Peayer  for  One  in  Sickness. 

OHOLY  Jesus,  Thou  art  a  merciful  High-Priest, 
and  touched  with  the  sense  of  our  infirmities; 
Thou  knowest  the  sharpness  of  my  sickness  and  the 
weakness  of  my  person.  The  clouds  are  gathered 
about  me,  and  Thou  hast  covered  me  with  Thy 
storm;  my  understanding  hath  not  such  apprehen- 
sion of  things  as  formerly.  Lord,  let  Thy  mercy 
support  me.  Thy  Spirit  guide  me,  and  lead  me 
through  the  valley  of  this  death  safely;  that  I  may 
pass  it  patiently,  holily,  with  perfect  resignation; 
and  let  me  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  in  the  hopes  of  par- 
don, in  the  expectation  of  glory,  in  the  sense  of 
Thy  mercies,  in  the  refreshments  of  Thy  Spirit,  in 
a  victory  over  all  temptations. 

Thou  hast  promised  to  be  with  us  in  tribulation. 
Lord,  my  soul  is  troubled,  and  my  body  is  weak, 
and  my  hope  is  in  Thee,  and  my  enemies  are  busy 
and  mighty;  now  make  good  Thy  holy  promise. 
Now,  O  holy  Jesus,  now  let  Thy  hand  of  grace  be 
upon  me;  restrain  my  ghostly  enemies,  and  give  me 
all  sorts  of  spiritual  assistances.  Lord,  remember 
Thy  servant  in  the  day  when  Thou  bindest  up  Thy 
jewels. 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  1X3 

O  take  from  me  all  tediousness  of  spirit,  all  im- 
patience and  .iinquietness:  let  me  possess  my  soul 
in  patience,  and  resign  my  soul  and  body  into  Thy 
hands,  as  into  the  hands  of  a  faithful  Creator  and 
a  blessed  Redeemer. 

O  holy  Jesus,  Thou  didst  die  for  us;  by  Thy  sad, 
pungent,  and  intolerable  pains,  which  Thou  en- 
duredst  for  me,  have  pity  on  me,  and  ease  my  pain, 
or  increase  my  patience.  Lay  on  me  no  more  than 
Thou  shalt  enable  me  to  bear.  I  have  deserved  it 
all  and  more,  and  infinitely  more.  Lord,  I  am 
weak  and  ignorant,  timorous  and  inconstant;  and  I 
fear  lest  something  should  happen  that  may  discom- 
pose the  state  of  my  soul,  that  may  displease  Thee: 
do  what  Thou  wilt  with  me,  so  that  Thou  dost  but 
preserve  me  in  Thy  fear  and  favor.  Thou  knowest 
that  it  is  my  great  fear,  but  let  Thy  Spirit  secure 
that  nothing  may  be  able  to  separate  me  from  the 
love  of  God  in  Jesus  Christ:  then  smite  me  here 
that  Thou  mayest  spare  me  for  ever;  and  yet,  O 
Lord,  smite  me  friendly,  for  Thou  knowest  my 
infirmities.  Lito  Thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit; 
for  Thou  hast  redeemed  me,  O  Lord,  Thou  God  of 
truth.  Come,  Holy  Spirit,  help  me  in  this  conflict. 
Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly. 

Prayer  before  a  Journey. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  who  fillest  all  things  with 
Thy  presence,  and  art  a  God  afar  ofi*  as  well 
as  near  at  hand;  Thou  didst  send  Thy  angel  to  bless 
Jacob  in  his  journey,  and  didst  lead  the  children  of 


114  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

Israel  tliroii£:li  the  Red  Sea,  makiiio:  it  a  wall  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left;  he  pleased  to  let  Thy 
angel  go  out  before  me  and  guide  me  in  m}^  jour- 
ney, preserving  me  from  dangers  of  robbers,  from 
violence  of  enemies,  and  sudden  and  sad  accidents, 
from  falls  and  errors.  And  prosper,  my  journey  to 
Thy  glory,  and  to  all  my  innocent  purposes;  and 
preserve  me  from  all  sin,  that  I  may  return  in  peace 
and  holiness,  with  Thy  favor  and  Thy  blessing,  and 
may  serve  Thee  in  thankfulness  and  obedience  all 
the  days  of  my  pilgrimage;  and  at  last  bring  me  to 
Thy  country,  to  the  celestial  Jerusalem,  there  to 
dwell  in  Thy  house,  and  to  sing  praises  to  Thee  for 
ever.     Amen. 

Pkayers  on  Receiving  the  Sackament.     I. 

OMOST  gracious  and  Eternal  God,  the  helper 
of  the  helpless,  the  comforter  of  the  comfort- 
less, the  hope  of  the  afflicted,  the  bread  of  the  hun- 
gry, the  drink  of  the  thirsty,  and  the  Saviour  of  all 
them  that  wait  upon  Thee;  I  bless  and  glorify  Thy 
name,  and  adore  Thy  goodness,  and  delight  in  Thy 
love,  that  Thou  hast  once  more  given  me  the  oppor- 
tunity of  receiving  the  greatest  favor  which  I  can 
receive  in  this  world,  even  the  body  and  blood  of 
my  dearest  Saviour.  O  take  from  me  all  affection 
to  sin  or  vanity;  let  not  my  affections  dwell  below, 
but  soar  upwards  to  the  element  of  love,  to  the  seat 
of  God,  to  the  regions  of  glory,  and  the  inheritance 
of  Jesus;  that  I  may  hunger  and  thirst  for  the  bread 
of  life  and  the  wine  of  elect  souls,  and  may  know  no 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  11 


D 


loves  but  the  love  of  God,  and  the  most  merciful 
Jesus.     Amen. 


o 


II. 

TASTE  and  see  how  gracious  the  Lord  is: 
blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  Him.  The 
beasts  do  lack  and  sufier  hunger;  but  they  which 
seek  the. Lord  shall  want  no  manner  of  thing  that 
is  good.  Lord,  what  am  I,  that  my  Saviour  should, 
become  my  food;  that  the  Son  of  God  should  be 
the  meat  of  worms,  of  dust  and  ashes,  of  a  sinner, 
of  him  that  was  His  enemy?  But  this  Thou  hast 
done  to  me,  because  Thou  art  infinitely  good  and 
wonderfully  gracious,  and  lovest  to  bless  everj^  one 
of  us,  in  turning  us  from  the  evil  of  our  ways. 
Enter  into  me,  blessed  Jesus:  let  no  root  of  bitter- 
ness spring  up  in  my  heart;  but  be  Thou  Lord  of 
all  my  faculties.  O  let  me  feed  on  Thee  by  faith, 
and  grow  up  by  the  increase  of  God  to  a  perfect 
man  in  Christ  Jesus.  Amen.  Lord,  I  believe:  help 
my  unbelief. 

Prayers  for  Pardon  of  Sins.     I. 

OJUST  and  dear  God,  my  sins  are  innumerable; 
they  are  upon  my  soul  in  multitudes;  they  are 
a  burden  too  heavy  for  me  to  bear;  they  already 
bring  sorrow  and  sickness,  shame  and  displeasure, 
guilt  and  a  decaying  spirit,  a  sense  of  Thy  present 
displeasure,  and  fear  of  worse,  of  infinitely  worse. 
But  it  is  to  Thee  so  essential,  so  delightful,  so  usual, 
so   desired  l)y  Thee  to  show  mercy,  that  although 


116  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

• 

my  sin  be  very  great,  and  my  fear  proportionable, 
yet  Thy  mercy  is  infinitely  greater  than  all  the 
world,  and  my  hope  and  my  comfort  rise  up  in 
proportions  towards  it,  that  I  trust  the  devils  shall 
never  be  able  to  reprove  it,  nor  my  own  weak- 
ness discompose  it.  Lord,  Thou  hast  sent  Thy  Son 
to  die  for  the  pardon  of  my  sins;  Thou  hast  given 
me  Thy  Holy  Spirit  as  a  seal  of  adoption  to  consign 
the  article  of  remission  of  sins;  Thou  hast,  for  all 
my  sins,  still  continued  to  invite  me  to  conditions 
of  life  by  Thy  ministers  the  prophets;  and  Thou 
hast,  with  variety  of  holy  acts,  softened  my  spirit 
and  possessed  my  fancy,  and  instructed  my  under- 
standing, and  bended  and  inclined  my  will,  and 
directed  or  overruled  my  passions,  in  order  to 
repentance  and  pardon:  and  why  should  not  Thy 
servant  beg  passionately,  and  humbly  hope  for,  the 
efiects  of  all  these  Thy  strange  and  miraculous  acts 
of  loving-kindness?  Lord,  I  deserve  it  not,  but  I 
hope  Thou  will  pardon  all  my  sins;  and  I  beg  it  of 
Thee,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  whom  Thou  hast  made 
the  great  endearment  of  Thy  promises,  and  the 
foundation  of  our  hopes,  and  the  mighty  instru- 
ment whereby  we  can  obtain  of  Thee  whatsoever 
we  need  and  can  receive. 

II. 

OMY  God,  how  shall  Thy  servant  be  disposed 
to  receive  such  a  favor  which  is  so  great  that 
the  ever-blessed  Jesus  did  die  to  purchase  it  for  us; 
so  great  that  the  ftillen  angels  never  could  hope,  and 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  117 

never  shall  obtain  it?  Lord,  I  do  from  my  soul  for- 
give all  that  have  sinned  against  me;  O  forgive  me 
my  sins,  as  I  forgive  them  that  have  sinned  against 
me.  Lord,  I  confess  my  sins  unto  Thee  daily  by  the 
accusations  and  secret  acts  of  conscience;  and  if  we 
confess  our  sins,  Thou  hast  called  it  a  part  of  jus- 
tice to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all 
unrighteousness.  Lord,  I  put  my  trust  in  Thee;  and 
Thou  art  ever  gracious  to  them  that  put  their  trust 
in  Thee.  I  call  upon  my  God  for  mercy;  and  Thou 
art  always  more  ready  to  hear  than  we  to  pray. 
But  all  that  I  can  do,  and  all  that  I  am,  and  all 
that  I  know  of  myself,  is  nothing  but  sin,  and 
infirmity,  and  misery:  therefore  I  go  forth  of  my- 
self, and  throw  myself  wholly  into  the  arms  of  Thy 
mcTcy  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  beg  of  Thee,  for 
His  death  and  passion's  sake,  by  His  resurrection 
and  ascension,  by  all  the  parts  of  our  redemption, 
and  Thy  infinite  mercy,  in  which  Thou  pleasest 
Thyself  above  all  the  works  of  the  creation,  to  be 
pitiful  and  compassionate  to  Thy  servant  in  the  abo- 
lition of  all  my  sins:  so  shall  I  praise  Thy  glories 
with  a  tongue  not  defiled  with  evil  language,  and  a 
heart  purged  by  Thy  grace,  quitted  by  Thy  mercy, 
and  absolved  by  Thy  sentence,  from  generation  to 
generation.     Amen. 

Ox  Prayer. 

PRAYER  is  an  action  of  likeness  to  the  Holy 
Ghost,  the  spirit  of  gentleness  and   dove-like 
simplicity;  an  imitation  of  the  holy  eTcsus,   whose 


118  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

spirit  is  meek,  up  to  the  greatness  of  the  biggest  ex- 
ample; and  a  conformity  to  Gocl,  whose  anger  is 
always  just,  and  marches  slowly,  and  is  without 
transportation,  and  often  hindered,  and  never  hasty, 
and  is  full  of  mercy:  prayer  is  the  peace  of  our  spirit, 
the  stillness  of  our  thoughts,  the  evenness  af  recol- 
lection, the  seat  of  meditation,  the  rest  of  our  cares, 
and  the  calm  of  our  tempest;  prayer  is  the  issue 
of  a  quiet  mind,  of  untroubled  thoughts;  it  is  the 
daughter  of  charity,  and  the  sister  of  meekness;  and 
he  that  prays  to  God  with  an  angry,  that  is,  with  a 
troubled  and  discomposed  spirit,  is  like  him  that  re- 
tires into  a  battle  to  meditate,  and  sets  up  his  closet 
in  the  out-quarters  of  an  army,  and  chooses  a  frontier- 
garrison  to  be  wise  in.  Anger  is  a  perfect  alienation 
of  the  mind  from  prayer,  and  therefore  is  contrary 
to  that  attention  which  presents  our  prayers  in  a 
rioht  line  to  God.  For  so  have  I  seen  a  lark  risino- 
from  his  bed  of  grass,  and  soaring  upwards,  singing 
as  he  rises,  and  hopes  to  get  to  heaven,  and  climb 
above  the  clouds;  but  the  poor  bird  was  beaten  back 
with  the  loud  sighings  of  an  eastern  wind,  and  his 
motion  was  made  irregular  and  inconstant,  descend- 
ing more  at  every  breath  of  the  tempest  than  it  could 
recover  by  the  libration  and  frequent  weighing  of 
his  wings,  till  the  little  creature  Avas  forced  to  sit 
down  and  pant,  and  stay  till  the  storm  was  over;  and 
then  it  made  a  prosperous  flight,  and  did  rise  and 
sinof  as  if  it  had  learned  music  and  motion  from  an 
angel,  as  he  passed  sometimes  through  the  air  about 
his  ministries  here  bolovr.     80  is  the  prayer  of  a 


JJ:REMY    TAYLOR.  119 

good  man,  when  his  affairs  have  required  business, 
and  his  business  was  matter  of  discipline,  and  his 
discipline  was  to  pass  npon  a  sinning  person,  or  had 
a  design  of  charity,  his  duties  met  with  the  infirmi- 
ties of  a  man,  and  anger  was  its  instrument,  and  the 
instrument  became  stronger  than  the  prime  agent, 
and  raised  a  tempest  and  overruled  the  man;  and 
then  his  prayer  was  broken  and  his  thoughts  were 
troubled,  and  his  words  went  up  towards  a  cloud, 
and  his  thoughts  pulled  them  back  again  and  made 
them  without  intention;  and  the  good  man  sighs  for 
his  infirmity,  but  must  be  content  to  lose  the  prayer, 
and  he  must  recover  it  when  his  anger  is  removed 
and  his  spirit  is  becalmed,  made  even  as  the  brow 
of  Jesus,  and  smooth  like  the  heart  of  God;  and  then 
it  ascends  to  heaven  upon  the  wings  of  the  holy  dove 
and  dwells  with  God,  till  it  returns,  like  the  useful 
bee,  laden  with  a  blessing  and  the  dew  of  lieaven. 

Advantages  of  Prayer. 

PRAYER  can  obtain  everything;  it  can  open  the 
windows  of  heaven  and  shut  the  gates  of  hell; 
it  can  put  a  holy  constraint  upon  God,  and  detain  an 
angel  till  he  leave  a  blessing;  it  can  open  the  treas- 
ures of  rain,  and  soften  the  iron  ribs  of  rocks  till  they 
melt  into  tears  and  a  flowing  river;  prayer  can  un- 
clasp the  girdles  of  the  north,  saying  to  a  mountain 
of  ice.  Be  thou  removed  hence  and  cast  into  the  bot- 
tom of  the  sea;  it  can  arrest  the  sun  in  the  midst  of 
his  course;  and  send  the  swift-winged  winds  upon 
our  errand,  and  all  tliose  strani^e  thino^s,  and  secret 


120  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

decrees  and  iinrevealed  transactions,  which  are  above 
the  clouds  and  far  beyond  the  regions  of  the  stars, 
shall  combine  in  ministry  and  advantages  for  the 
praying  man. 

The  Eighteous  Safe. 

THE  righteous  is  safe;  but  by  intermedial  diffi- 
culties: and  he  is  safe  in  the  midst  of  his  per- 
secutions; they  may  disturb  his  rest  and  discompose 
his  fancy,  but  they  are  like  the  fiery  chariot  to  Elias; 
he  is  encircled  with  fire,  and  rare  circumstances  and 
strange  usages,  but  is  carried  up  to  heaven  in  a  robe 
of  flames.  And  so  was  Noah  safe  when  the  flood  came, 
and  was  the  great  type  and  instance  too  of  the  veri- 
fication of  this  proposition;  he  was  put  into  a  strange 
condition,  perpetually  wandering,  shut  up  in  a  prison 
of  wood,  living  upon  faith,  having  never  had  the  ex- 
perience*of  being  safe  in  floods. 

And  so  have  I  often  seen  young  and  unskilful  per- 
sons sitting  in  a  little  boat,  when  every  little  wave 
sporting  about  the  sides  of  the  vessel,  and  every 
motion  and  dancing  of  the  barge  seemed  a  danger  and 
made  them  cling  fast  upon  their  fellows;  and  yet  all 
the  while  they  were  as  safe  as  if  they  sat  under  a 
tree,  while  a  gentle  wind  shaked  the  leaves  into  a 
refreshment  and  a  cooling  shade.  And  the  unskilful, 
inexperienced  Christian  shrieks  out  whenever  his 
vessel  shakes,  thinking  it  always  a  danger  that  the 
watery  pavement  is  not  stable  and  resident  like  a 
rock;  and  yet  all  his  danger  is  in  himself,  none  at  all 
from  without;  for  he  is  indeed  moving  upon    the 


JEREMY    TAYLOR.  121 

waters,  but  fastened  to  a  rock.  Faith  is  his  founda- 
tion and  hope  is  his  anchor,  and  death  is  his  harbor, 
and  Clirist  is  his  pilot,  and  heaven  is  his  conntry; 
and  all  the  evils  of  poverty,  or  affronts  of  tribunals 
and  evil  judges,  of  fears  and  sadder  apprehensions, 
are  but  like  the  lond  wind  blowing  from  the  right 
point:  they  make  a  noise  and  drive  faster  to  the  har- 
bor. And  if  we  do  not  leave  the  ship  and  leap  into 
the  sea;  quit  the  interests  of  religion  and  run  to  the 
securities  of  the  world;  cut  our  cables  and  dissolve 
our  hopes;  grow  impatient  and  hug  a  wave,  and  die 
in  its  embraces,  we  are  as  safe  at  sea,  safer  in  the 
storm  which  God  sends  us,  than  in  a  calm  when  we 
are  befriended  with  the  world. 

Consolation. 

GOD  glories  in  the  appellative  that  He  is  the 
Father  of  mercies,  and  the  God  of  all  comfort, 
and  therefore  to  minister  in  the  office  is  to  become 
like  God,  and  to  imitate  the  charities  of  heaven;  and 
God  hath  fitted  mankind  for  it;  he  most  needs  it,  and 
he  feels  his  brother's  wants  by  his  own  experience; 
and  God  hath  given  us  speech  and  the  endearments 
of  society,  and  pleasantness  of  conversation  and 
powers  of  seasonable  discourse,  arguments  to  allay 
the  sorrow,  by  abating  our  apprehensions  and  taking 
out  the  sting,  or  telling  the  periods  of  comfort,  or 
exciting  hope,  or  urging  a  precept,  and  reconciling 
our  affections  and  reciting  promises,  or  telling-stories 
of  the  divine  mercy,  or  changing  it  into  duty,  or 
n^aking  the  burden  less  by  comparing  it  with  greater, 

6 


122  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

or  by  proving  it  to  be  less  than  Ave  deserve,  and  that 
it  is  so  intended  and  may  become  the  instrument  of 
virtue.  And  certain  it  is,  that  as  nothing  can  better 
do  it,  so  there  is  nothing  greater  for  which  God 
made  our  tongues,  next  to  reciting  His  praises,  than 
to  minister  comfort  to  a  weary  soul.  And  what 
greater  measure  can  we  have  than  that  we  should 
bring  joy  to  our  brother,  who  with  his  dreary  eyes 
looks  to  heaven  and  round  about,  and  cannot  find  so 
much  rest  as  to  lay  his  eyelids  close  together,  than 
that  thy  tongue  should  be  tuned  with  heavenly  ac- 
cents and  make  the  weary  soul  to  listen  for  light  and 
ease;  and  when  he  perceives  that  there  is  such  a  thing 
in  the  world,  and  in  the  order  of  things,  as  comfort 
and  joy,  to  begin  to  break  out  from  the  prison  of  his 
sorrows  at  the  door  of  sighs  and  tears,  and  by  little 
and  little  melt  into  showers  and  refreshment?  This 
is  glory  to  thy  voice,  and  employment  fit  for  the 
Ijrightest  angel. 

But  so  have  I  seen  the  sun  kiss  the  frozen  earth, 
which  was  bound  up  with  the  images  of  death  and 
the  colder  breath  of  the  north;  and  then  the  waters 
break  from  their  enclosures  and  melt  with  joy,  and 
run  in  useful  channels;  and  the  flies  do  rise  again 
from  their  little  graves  in  walls,  and  dance  awhile  in 
the  air,  to  tell  that  there  is  joy  within,  and  that  the 
great  mother  of  creatures  will  open  the  stock  of  her 
new  refreshment,  become  useful  to  mankind,  and 
sing  praises  to  her  Redeemer.  So  is  the  heart  of  a 
sorrowful  man  under  the  discourses  of  a  wise  com- 
forter; he  breaks  from  the  despairs  of  the  grave  and 


JEKEMY    TAYLOK.  123 

the  fetters  and  chains  of  sorrow,  he  blesses  God,  and 
he  blesses  thee,  and  he  feels  his  life  returmng;  for  to 
be  miserable  is  death,  but  nothing  is  life  but  to  be 
comforted;  and  God  is  pleased  with  no  music  from 
below  so  much  as  in  the  thanksgiving  songs  of  re- 
lieved widows,  of  supported  orphans,  of  rejoicing 
and  comforted  and  thankful  persons. 

This  part  of  communication  does  the  work  of  God 
and  of  our  neighbors,  and  bears  us  to  heaven  in 
streams  of  joy  made  by  'the  overflowings  of  our 
brother's  comfort.  It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  see  a  man 
despairing.  None  knows  the  sorrow  and  the  in- 
tolerable anguish  but  themselves,  and  they  that  are 
damned;  and  so  are  all  the  loads  of  a  wounded  spirit, 
when  the  staff  of  a  man's  broken  fortune  bows  his 
head  to  the  ground,  and  sinks  like  an  osier  under  the 
violence  of  a  mighty  tempest.  But  therefore  in  pro- 
portion to  this  I  may  tell  the  excellency  of  the  em- 
ployment and  the  duty  of  that  charity,  which  bears 
the  dying  and  languishing  soul  from  the  fringes  of 
hell  to  the  seat  of  the  brightest  stars,  where  'God's 
face  shines  and  reflects  comforts  forever  and  ever. 

God's  Mercy. 

HIS  mercy  is  His  glory,  and  His  glory  is  the 
light  of  heaven.  His  mercy  is  the  life  of  the 
creation,  and  it  fills  all  the  earth;  and  His  mercy  is 
a  sea  too,  and  it  fills  all  the  abysses  of  the  deep;  it 
hath  given  us  promises  for  supply  of  Avhatsoevcr  we 
need,  and  relieves  us  in  all  our  fears,  and  in  all  the 
evils  that  we  suffer.     His  mercies  are  more  than  wc 


124  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

call  tell,  and  they  are  more  than  we  can  feel.  For 
all  the  world  in  the  abyss  of  the  divine  mercies  is 
like  a  man  diving  into  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  over 
whose  head  the  waters  run  insensibly  and  unper- 
ceived,  and  yet  the  weight  is  vast  and  the  sum  of 
them  is  unmeasurable;  and  the  man  is  not  pressed 
with  the  burden  nor  confounded  with  numbers.  And 
no  observation  is  able  to  recount,  no  sense  sufficient 
to  perceive,  no  memory  large  enough  to  retain,  no  un- 
derstanding great  enough  to  apprehend  tliis  infinity; 
but  we  must  admire  and  love,  and  worship  and  mag- 
nify this  mercy  forever  and  ever;  that  we  may  dwell 
in  what  we  feel,  and  be  comprehended  by  that  wliich 
is  equal  to  God  and  the  parent  of  all  felicity. 

The  Eepenting  Sinner. 

EVERY  sinner  that  repents  causes  joy  to  Christ, 
and  the  joy  is  so  great  that  it  runs  over  and 
wets  the  fair  brows  and  beauteous  locks  of  cherubim 
and  seraphim,  and  all  the  angels  have  a  part  of  that 
banquet;  then  it  is  that  our  blessed  Lord  feels  the 
fruits  of  His  holy  death,  the  acceptation  of  His  holy 
sacrifice,  the  graciousness  of  His  person,  the  retuni 
of  His  prayers. 


ROBERT  LEIGHTON,  D.  D. 
1613-1684. 

Saltation. 

ALYATION  expresses  not  only  that 
which  is  negative,  but  implies  likewise 
positive  and  perfect  happiness;  thus  for- 
giveness of  sins  is  put  for  the  whole  nature 
of  justification  frequently  in  Scripture.  It 
is  more  easy  to  say  of  this  unspeakable  happiness, 
what  it  is  not,  than  what  it  is.  There  is  in  it  a 
full  and  final  freedom  from  all  annoyance ;  all  tears 
are  wiped  away,  and  their  fountain  is  dried  up; 
all  feeling  and  fear,  or  danger,  of  any  the  least 
evil,  either  of  sin  or  punishment,  is  banished  for 
ever;  there  are  no  invasions  of  enemies,  no  rob- 
bing or  destroying  in  all  this  holy  mountain,  no 
voice  of  complaining  in  the  streets  of  the  new 
Jerusalem.  Here,  it  is  at  the  best  but  interchaug- 
es  of  mornings  of  joy,  with  sad  evenings  of  weep- 
ings; but  there,  there  shall  be  no  night,  no  need 
of  sun  nor  moon.  For  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall 
lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  shall  he  the  light  thereof, 
Rev.  xxi.  23. 

Happy  are  they  who  have  their  eye  fixed  upon 


126  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

this  salvation,  and  are  longing  and  waiting  for  ifc; 
who  see  so  mnch  of  that  brightness  and  glory,  as 
darkens  all  the  lustre  of  earthly  things  to  them,  and 
makes  them  trample  upon  those  things  whieli  for- 
merly they  admired  and  (Joated  on  with  the  rest 
of  the  foolish  world.  Those  things  we  account  so 
much  of,  are  hut  as  rotten  wood,  or  glow-worms 
that  shine  only  in  the  night  of  our  ignorance  and 
vanity:  so  soon  as  the  light-beam  of  this  salvation 
enters  into  the  soul,  it  cannot  much  esteem  or  affect 
anything  below  it;  and  if  those  glances  of  it  which 
shine  in  the  word,  and  in  the  soul  of  a  Christian, 
be  so  bright  and  powerful,  what  then  shall  the  full 
sight  and  real  possession  of  it  be? 

Feee  Grace. 

FREE  grace  being  rightly  apprehended,  is  that 
which  stays  the  heart  in  all  estates,  and  keeps 
it  from  fainting,  even  in  its  saddest  times.  What 
thou«-li  there  is  nothing  in  m3^self  but  matter  of 
sorrow  and  discomfort,  it  cannot  be  otherwise;  it  is 
not  from  myself  that  I  look  for  comfort  at  any  time, 
but  from  my  God  and  His  free  grace.  Here  is  com- 
fort enough  for  all  times;  when  I  am  at  the  best,  I 
ought  not,  I  dare  not,  rely  upon  myself;  when  I  am 
at  the  worst,  I  may,  and  should  rely  upon  Christ, 
and  His  sufficient  grace.  Though  I  be  the  vilest 
sinner  that  ever  came  to  Him,  yet  I  know  that  He 
is  more  gracious  than  I  am  sinful;  yea,  the  more  my 
sin  is,  the  more  glory  will  it  be  to  His  grace  to  par- 
don it;  it  will  appear  the  richer.     Doth  not  David 


ROBERT    LEIGIITON.  127 

argue  thus,  Psalm  xxv.  11:  For  Thy  name's  sake,  O 
XortZ,  jpardon  mine  iniquity,  for  it  is  very  great. 

Redemptiox  the  Admiration  of  Angels. 

THE  Word  made  flesh,  draws  the  eyes  of  those 
glorious  spirits,  and  possesses  them  with  won- 
der to  see  the  Almighty  Godhead  joined  with  the 
weakness  of  a  man,  yea,  of  an  infant.  He  that 
stretched  forth  the  heavens  bound  up  in  swaddling 
clothes !  and  to  surpass  all  the  wonders  of  His 
life,  this  is  ])eyond  all  admiration,  that  the  Lord 
of  Life  was  subject  to  death,  and  that  His  love  to 
rebellious  mankind  moved  Him  both  to  take  on  and 
lay  down  that  life. 

It  is  no  wonder  the  angels  admire  these  things, 
and  delight  to  look  upon  them;  but  it  is  strange 
that  we  do  not  so.  They  view  them  steadfastly, 
and  we  neo:lect  them:  either  we  consider  them  not 
at  all,  or  give  them  but  a  transient  look,  half  an 
eye.  That  which  was  the  great  business  of  the 
prophets  and  apostles,  both  for  their  own  times, 
and  to  convey  them  to  us,  we  regard  not;  and  turn 
our  eyes  to  foolish  wandering  thoughts,  which  an- 
gels are  ashamed  at.  They  are  not  so  concerned  in 
this  great  mystery  as  we  are;  they  are  but  mere 
beholders,  in  comparison  of  us,  yea,  they  seem 
rather  to  be  losers  some  way,  in  that  our  nature, 
in  itself  inferior  to  theirs,  is  in  Jesus  Christ  exalted 
above  theirs,  Heb.  ii.  16.  We  bow  down  to  the 
earth,  and  stud}",  and  grovel  in  it,  rake  into  the 
very  ])OAvels  of  it,  and  content   ourselves  Avith  the 


128  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

outside  of  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christy  and  look 
not  within  it;  but  they,  having  no  will  nor  desire 
but  for  the  glory  of  God,  being  pure  flames  of  fire, 
burning  only  in  love  to  Him,  are  no  less  delighted 
than  amazed  with  the  bottomless  wonders  of  His 
wisdom  and  goodness  shining  in  the  work  of  oui 
redemption. 

It  is  our  shame  and  folly,  that  we  lose  ourselves 
and  our  thoughts  in  poor  childish  things,  and  trifle 
away  our  days  we  know  not  how,  and  let  these  rich 
mysteries  lie  unregarded.  They  look  up  upon  the 
Deitv  in  itself  with  continual  admiration;  but  then 
they  look  down  to  this  mystery  as  another  wonder. 
We  give  them  an  ear  in  public,  and  in  a  cold  formal 
way  stop  conscience's  mouth  with  some  religious 
performances  in  private,  and  no  more;  but  to  have 
deep  and  frequent  thoughts  and  to  be  ravished  in 
the  meditation  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  once  on  the  cross, 
and  now  in  glory, — how  few  of  us  are  acquainted 
w4th  this ! 

The  Scriptures. 

LET  this  commend  the  Scriptures  much  to  our 
diligence  and  afiection,  that  their  great  theme' 
is  our  Redeemer,  and  redemption  wrought  by 
Him;  that  they  contain  the  doctrine  of  His  excel- 
lences—  are  the  lively  picture  of  His  matchless 
beauty.  Were  we  more  in  them,  we  should  daily 
see  more  of  Him  in  them,  and  so  of  necessity  love 
Him  more.  But  we  must  look  within  them:  the 
letter  is  but  the  case;   the  spiritual  sense  is  w^hat 


EGBERT    LEIGHTON.  129 

we  should  desire  to  see.  We  usually  huddle  them 
over,  and  see  no  further  than  their  outside,  and 
therefore  find  so  little  sweetness  in  them:  we  read 
them,  but  we  search  them  not,  as  He  requires. 
Would  we  dig  into  those  golden  mines,  we  should 
find  treasures  of  comfort  that  cannot  be  spent,  but 
which  would  furnish  us  in  the  hardest  times. 

Prayer. 

ALL  blessings  attend  this  work.  It  is  the 
richest  traffic  in  the  world,  for  it  trades  with 
heaven,  and  brings  home  what  is  most  precious 
there.  And  as  holiness  disposes  to  prayer,  so 
prayer  befriends  holiness,  increases  it  much.  No- 
thing so  refines  and  purifies  the  soul  as  frequent 
prayer.  If  the  often  conversing  with  wise  men 
doth  so  teach  and  advance  the  soul  in  wisdom, 
how  much  more  then  will  converse  with  God ! 
This  makes  the  soul  despise  the  things  of  the 
world,  and  in  a  manner  makes  it  divine;  winds 
up  the  soul  from  the  earth,  acquainting  it  with 
delights  that  are  infinitely  sweeter. 

All  the  graces  of  the  Spirit  are,  in  prayer,  stirred 
and  exercised,  and,  by  exercise,  strengthened  and 
increased;  faith,  in  applying  the  Divine  promises, 
which  are  the  very  ground  that  the  soul  goes  upon 
to  God;  Hope  looking  out  to  their  performance;  and 
Love .  particularly  expressing  itself  in  that  sweet 
converse,  and  delighting  in  it,  as  love  doth  in  the 
company  of  the  person  beloved,  thinking  all  hours 
too  shoi't  in  speaking  with  him.     Oh,  how  the  soul 


130  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

is  refreshed  with  freedom  of  speech  with  its  beloved 
Lord !  And  as  it  delights  in  that,  so  it  is  continu- 
ally advanced  and  grows  by  each  meeting  and  con- 
ference, beholding  the  excellency  of  God,  and 
relishing  the  pure  and  sublime  pleasures  that  are 
to  be  found  in  near  communion  with  Him.  Looking 
upon  the  Father  in  the  face  of  Christ,  and  using  Him 
as  a  mediator  in  prayer,  as  still  it  must,  it  is  drawn 
to  further  admiration  of  that  bottomless  love  which 
found  out  that  way  of  agreement,  that  netv  and  liv- 
ing ivay  of  our  access,  wdien  all  was  shut  up,  and 
we  must  otherwise  have  been  shut  out  for  ever. 
And  then,  the  affectionate  expressions  of  that  reflex 
love,  seeking  to  find  that  vent  in  prayer,  do  kindle 
higher,  and  being  as  it  were  fanned  and  blown  up, 
rise  to  a  greater,  and  higher,  and  purer  flame,  and 
so  tend  upward  the  more  strongly.  David,  as  he 
doth  profess  his  love  to  God  in  prayer,  in  his 
Psalms,  so  no  doubt  it  grew  in  the  expressing: 
I  ivill  love  Thee^  0  Lord  my  strength^  VavluiXYiii,  1. 
And  in  Psalm  cxvi.  1,  he  doth  raise  an  incentive  of 
love  out  of  this  very  consideration  of  the  corres- 
pondence of  prayer — /  love  the  Lord  because  He 
hath  heard;  and  he  resolves  thereafter  upon  per- 
sistence in  that  course — therefore  ivill  L  call  ujpon 
Him  as  long  as  I  live.  And  as  the  graces  of  the 
Spirit  are  advanced  in  prayer  by  their  actings,  so 
for  this  further  reason,  because  prayer  sets  the  soul 
particularly  near  unto  God  in  Jesus  Christ.  It  is 
then  in  His  presence,  and  being  much  with  God  in 
this  way,  it  is  powerfully  assimihited  to  Him  by  con- 


ROBERT    LEIGHTON.  131 

verse  with  Him;  as  we  readily  contract  their  habits 
with  whom  we  have  much  intercourse,  especially  if 
they  be  such  as  we  singularly  love  and  respect. 
Thus  the  soul  is  moulded  further  to  the  likeness  of 
God,  is  stamped  wath  clearer  characters  of  Him,  by 
being  much  with  Him,  becomes  more  like  God,  more 
holy  and  spiritual,  and,  like  Moses,  brings  back  a 
bn'o^ht  shininof  from  the  mount. 

True  Rest. 

OMY  brethren !  take  heed  of  sleeping  unto 
death  in  carnal  ease.  Resolve  to  take  no 
rest  till  you  be  in  the  element  and  place  of  soul- 
rest,  where  solid  rest  indeed  is.  Rest  not  till  you 
be  with  Christ.  Though  all  the  world  should  offer 
their  best,  turn  them  by  with  disdain;  if  they  will 
not  be  turned  by,  throw  them  down,  and  go  over 
them,  and  trample  upon  them.  Say,  you  have  no 
rest  to  give  me,  nor  will  I  take  any  at  your  hands, 
nor  from  any  creature.  There  is  no  rest  for  me 
till  I  be  under  His  shadow,  wdio  endured  so  much 
trouble  to  purchase  my  rest,  and  whom  having 
found,  I  may  sit  down  quiet  and  satisfied;  and 
when  the  men  of  the  world  make  boast  of  the 
highest  content,  I  will  outvie  them  all  ^yith  this 
one  word:  Mt/  Beloved  is  mine^  and  I  am  His. 

The  Christian  Warfare. 

THERE  is  still  fighting,  and  sin  will  be  molesting 
you;  though  wounded  to    death,    yet   will  it 
struggle   for  life,  and  seek    to  wound    its    enemy; 


132  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

it  will  assault  the  graces  that  are  in  yon.  Do  not 
think,  if  it  be  once  struck,  and  you  have  given  it 
a  stab  near  to  the  heart,  by  the  sword  of  the 
Sjnrit,  that  therefore  it  will  stir  no  more.  No, 
so  long  as  you  live  in  the  flesh,  in  these  bowels 
there  will  be  remainders  of  the  life  of  this  flesh, 
your  natural  corruption;  therefore  you  must  be 
armed  against  it.  Sin  will  not  give  you  rest,  so 
long  as  there  is  a  drop  of  blood  in  its  veins,  one 
spark  of  life  in  it:  and  that  will  be  so  long  as  you 
have  life  here.  This  old  man  is  stout,  and  will  fight 
himself  to  death;  and  at  the  weakest  it  will  rouse 
up  itself,  and  exert  its  dying  spirits,  as  men  will  do 
sometimes  more  eagerly  than  when  they  were  not 
so  weak,  nor  so  near  death. 

This  the  children  of  God  often  find  to  their  grief, 
that  corruptions  vfhicli  they  thought  had  been  cold 
dead,  stir  and  rise  up  again,  and  set  upon  them.  A 
passion  or  lust,  that  after  some  great  stroke  lay  a 
long  while  as  dead,  stirred  not,  and  therefore  they 
thouo^ht  to  have  heard  no  more  of  it,  thouo^h  it  shall 
never  recover  fully  again,  to  be  lively  as  before,  yet 
will  revive  in  such  a  measure  as  to  molest,  and  pos- 
sibly to  foil  them  yet  again.  Therefore  it  is  con- 
tinually necessary  that  they  live  in  arms,  and  put 
them  not  off*  to  their  dying  day;  till  th^ey  put  oflfthe 
body,  and  be  altogether  free  of  the  flesh.  You  may 
take  the  Lord's  promise  for  victory  in  the  end;  that 
shall  not  fail;  but  do  not  promise  yourself  ease  in 
the  way,  for  that  will  not  hold.  If  at  some  times 
you  be  undermost,   give  not  all  for  lost:  he  hath 


ROBERT   LEIGHTON.  133 

often  won  the  day,  who  hath  been  foiled  and  wound- 
ed in  the  fisfht.  But  likewise  take  not  all  for  w^on, 
so  as  to  have  no  more  conflict,  when  sometimes  you 
have  the  better,  as  in  particular  battles.  Be  not  des- 
perate w^ien  you  lose,  nor  secure  w^hen  you  gain 
them:  when  it  is  Avorse  with  you,  do  not  throw  away 
your  arms,  nor  lay  them  away  when  you  are  at  best. 

Communion  with  Christ  in  Suffering. 

IT  is  a  sweet,  a  joyful  thing  to  be  a  sharer  with 
Christ  in  anything.  All  enjoyments  wherein  He 
is  not,  are  bitter  to  a  soul  that  loves  Him,  and  all 
sufferino^s  with  Him  are  sweet.  The  w^orst  thins^s  of 
Christ  are  more  truly  delightful  than  the  best  thing 
of  the  world;  His  afflictions  are  sweeter  than  their 
pleasures,  His  rejproach  more  glorious  than  their  hon- 
ors, and  more  rich  than  their  treasures,  as  Moses  ac- 
counted them:  Heb.  xi.  2G.  Love  delights  in  like- 
ness and  communion,  not  only  in  things  otherwise 
pleasant,  but  in  the  hardest  and  harshest  things, 
which  have  not  anything  in  them  desirable,  but  only 
that  likeness.  So  that  this  thought  is  very  sweet 
to  a  heart  possessed  with  this  love:  what  does  the 
world  by  its  hatred,  and  persecutions,  and  revilings 
for  the  sake  of  Christ,  but  make  me  more  like  Him, 
give  me  a  greater  share  with  Him,  in  that  which  He 
did  so  willingly  undergo  for  me?  When  He  was 
sought  for  to  be  made  a  King^  as  St.  Bernard  remarks. 
He  escaped;  hut  tvheii  He  ivas  sought  to  he  brought  to 
the  cross^  He  freely  yielded  Himself  And  shall  I 
shrink   and  creep   back  from   what  He  calls   me  to 


134  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

suffer  for  His  sake!  Yea,  even  all  my  other  troubles 
and  sufferings,  I  will  desire  to  have  stamped  thus, 
with  this  conformity  to  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  in 
the  humble,  obedient,  cheerful  endurance  of  them, 
and  the  giving  up  my  will  to  my  Father's. 

The  following  of  Christ  makes  any  way  pleasant. 
His  faithful  followers  refuse  no  march  after  Him,  be 
it  through  deserts,  and  mountains  and  storms,  and 
hazards,  that  will  affright  self-pleasing,  easy  spirits. 
Hearts  kindled  and  actuated  wdth  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  v^Wl  folloio  Him  wheresoever^  He  goeth. 

The  Believer's  Joy  at  the  Eevelation  of  Christ. 

HE  shall  be  revealed  in  His  glory ^  and  ye  shall 
even  overflow  with  joy  in  the  partaking  of  that 
glory.  Therefore,  rejoice  now  in  the  midst  of  all 
your  sufferings.  Stand  upon  the  advanced  ground 
of  the  promises  and  the  covenant  of  grace,  and  by 
faith  look  beyond  this  moment,  and  all  that  is  in  it, 
to  that  day  wherein  everlasting  joy  shall  be  upon 
your  heads^  a  crown  of  it,  and  sorrow  and  mourning 
shall  flee  away:  Isa.  li.  11.  Believe  in  this  day,  and 
the  victory  is  won.  Oh!  that  blessed  hope,  well 
fixed  and  exercised,  would  give  other  manner  of 
spirits.  What  zeal  for  God  would  it  not  inspire! 
What  invincible  courage  against  all  encounters! 
How  soon  will  this  pageant  of  the  world  vanish,  that 
men  are  gazing  on,  these  pictures  and  fancies  of 
pleasures  and  honors,  falsely  so  called,  and  give  place 
to  the  real  glory  of  the  sons  of  God,  when  this 
])lessed  Son,  who  is  God,  shall  be  seen  appearing  in 


KOBERT    LEIGIITOX.  135 

full  majesty,  and  all  His  brethren  ni  glory  witli  Him, 
all  clothed  in  their  robes!  And  if  you  ask,  who  are 
they,  why,  these  are  they  who  came  out  of  great  tribu- 
lation^ and  have  ivashed  their  robes  in  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb:  Rev.  vii.  14. 

Glory  of  Christ  at  the  last  Day. 

THE  world  sees  nothing  of  His  glory  and  beauty, 
and  even  His  own  see  not  much;  they  have  but 
a  little  glimmering  of  Him,  and  of  their  own  happi- 
ness in  Him;  know  little  of  their  own  high  condition;* 
and  what  they  are  born  to.  But  in  that  bright  day. 
He  shall  shine  forth  in  His  royal  dignity,  and  every 
eye  shall  see  Him,  and  be  overcome  with  His  splen- 
dor. Terrible  shall  it  be  to  those  that  formerly  de- 
spised Him  and  His  saints,  but  to  them  it  shall  be 
the  gladest  day  that  ever  arose  upon  them,  a  day 
that  shall  never  set  or  be  benighted;  the  day  they 
so  much  longed  and  looked  out  for,  the  full  accom- 
plishment of  all  their  hopes  and  desires.  Oh,  how 
dark  were  all  our  days  without  the  hope  of  this  day! 

Steadfastness  in  the  Faith. 

WHEN  the  soul  is  surrounded  with  enemies  on 
all  hands,  so  that  there- is  no  way  of  escape, 
faith  flies  above  them,  and  carries  up  the  soul  to  take 
refuge  in  Christ,  and  is  there  safe.  That  is  the 
power  of  faith;  it  sets  a  soul  in  Christ,  and  there  it 
looks  down  upon  all  temptations  as  at  the  bottom 
of  the  rock,  breaking  themselves  into  foam.  When 
the  floods  of  temptation  rise  and  gather,  so  great  and 


136  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

SO  many,  that  the  soul  is  even  ready  to  be  s^yalloAYed 
up,  then,  by  faith,  it  sa^^s,  Lord  Jesns,  Thou  art  my 
strength,  I  look  to  Thee  for  deliverance;  now  appear 
for  my  help!  And  thus  it  overcomes.  The  guilt 
of  sin  is  answered  by  His  blood,  the  power  of  sin  is 
conquered  by  His  Spirit;  and  afflictions  that  arise 
are  nothing  to  these:  His  love  and  gracious  presence 
make  them  sweet  and  easy. 

Eternal  Glory. 

OH,  that  blessed  day  when  the  soul  shall  be  full 
of  God,  shall  be  satisfied  and  ravished  with  full 
vision!  Should  we  not  admire  that  such  a  condition 
is  provided  for  man,  wretched,  sinful  man?  Lord^ 
lohat  is  man^  that  Thou  art  mindful  of  him^  and  the 
son  of  man,  that  Thou  visitest  him:  Psalm  viii.  3. 
And  is  it  provided  for  me,  as  wretched  as  any  who 
are  left  and  fallen  short  of  this  glory,  a  base  worm 
taken  out  of  the  mire,  and  Avashed  in  the  blood  of 
Christ,  and  Avithin  a  while  set  to  shine  in  glory  with- 
out sin?  Oh,  the  wonder  of  this!  How  should  it 
excite  us  to  praise,  when  we  think  of  such  a  One 
there,  who  will  bring  us  up  in  the  way  to  this  crown! 
How  will  this  hope  sweeten  the  short  sufferings  of 
this  life!  And  death  itself,  which  is  otherwise  the 
bitterest  in  itself,  is  most  of  all  sweetened  by  this, 
as  being  nearest  it,  and  setting  us  into  it.  What 
though  thou  art  poor,  diseased,  and  despised  here? 
Oh,  consider  what  is  there,  how  worthy  the  affection, 
worthy  the  earnest  eye  and  fixed  look  of  an  heir  of 
this  glory!     What  can  he  either  desire  or  fear,  whose 


ROBERT    LEIGIITON.  137 

heart  is  thus  deeply  fixed?  Who  would  refuse  this 
other  clause,  to  suffer  awhile^  a  little  Avhile,  anything 
outward  or  inward  Avhich  lie  thinks  fit?  How  soon 
shall  all  this  be  overpast,  and  then  overpaid  in  the 
very  entry,  at  the  beginning  of  this  glory  that  shall 
never  end. 

Meditatiois^  on  the  Eighth  Psalm. 

OH,  how  strong  and  large  that  Hand,  which  with- 
out help  expands  the  heavens  as  a  curtain! 
Look  up  and  see,  consider  their  height  and  round- 
ness, such  a  glorious  canopy  set  with  such  sparkling 
diamonds:  then  think  how  swift  their  motion,  and 
yet  imperceivable  to  us,  no  motion  here  below 
comparable,  and  yet  they  seem  not  to  stir  at  all. 
And  in  all,  their  great  Lord  and  ours  so  conspicu- 
ous! And  yet  wdio  looks  on  them  with  such  an  ej^e 
as  to  behold  Him,  as  David  here,  When  I  consider 
Thy  heavens^  the  loorh^  &c.!  He  is  admirable  in  all: 
the  very  lowest  and  smallest  creatures  have  their 
wonders  of  Divine  wisdom  in  their  frame,  more  than 
w^e  are  able  to  think,  Magnus  in  minimis:  He  is 
great  in  the  least  of  His  works.  The  smallest  flies, 
hoAv  strange  the  fashioning  of  the  organs  of  life  and 
use  in  so  little  room!  The  man  who  is  still  in  search 
of  wisdom  will  find  a  school  and  a  lesson  in  all 
places,  and  see  everywhere  the  greatness  and  good- 
ness of  his  God!  If  he  walk  forth  in  the  eveninor 
when  this  lower  world  is  clothed  with  the  dark 
mantle  of  the  night,  yet  still  he  can  look  upward  to 
the  pavement  of  the  throne  of  God,  and  think  how 


138  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

glorious  it  is  on  the  other  side,  when  the  moon  and 
stars  make  this  side,  even  in  the  night  so  beautiful. 
And  this  of  David's,  looks  like  a  night  meditation 
by  the  view  of  moon  and  stars.  Thy  Jieavens,  these 
Thy  works  so  glorious — Thou,  therefore,  infinitely 
more  glorious;  then  can  I  not  but  increase  in  wond- 
er, that,  dwelling  above  these  heavens,  Thou  regard- 
est  so  poor  a  worm  as  man  creeping  on  this  earth. 

Spiritual  Desire  of  Death. 
rj^HEEE  is  a  spiritual  desire  of  death,  Avhich  is 
J_  very  becoming  a  Christian.  For  Jesus  Christ 
hath  not  only  opened  very  clearly  the  doctrine  of 
eternal  life,  but  He  Himself  hath  passed  through  death, 
and  lain  down  in  the  grave:  He  hath  perfumed  Ihat 
passage,  and  warmed  that  bed  for  us;  so  that  it  is 
sweet  and  amiable  for  a  Christian  to  pass  through 
and  follow  Him,  and  to  be  where  He  is.  It  is  a 
strange  thing,  that  the  souls  of  Christians  have  not  a 
continual  desire  to  go  to  that  company  which  is  above 
(finding  so  much  discord  and  disagreement  among 
the  best  of  men  that  are  here);  to  go  to  the  sinrits 
of  just  men  7nade  jjerfect,  where  there  is  light,  and 
love,  and  nothing  else;  to  go  to  the  comjpany  of 
angels,  a  higher  rank  of  blessed  spirits;  but,  most 
of  all  to  go  to  God,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator 
of  the  New  Testament.  And  to  say  nothing 
positively  of  that  glory  (for  the  truth  is,  we 
can  say  nothing  of  it),  the  very  evils  that  death  de- 
livers the  true  Christian  from,  may  make  him  long 
for  it;  for  such  a  one  may  say — I  shall  die,  and  go 


liOEEllT    LEIGIITOX.  139 

to  a  more  excellent  country,  where  I  shall  be  happy 
for  ever:  tliat  is,  I  shall  die  no  more,  I  shall  sorrow 
no  more,  I  shall  be  sick  no  more,  and,  which  is  yet 
more  considerable,  I  shall  doubt  no  more,  and  shall 
be  tempted  no  more;  and,  which  is  the  chiefest  of 
all,  I  shall  sin  no  more. 


Come  to  the  Saviol  e. 

THIS  is  the  great  comfort  of  sinners,  this  word: 
/  came  to  call  not  the  righteous^  hut  sinners. 
What  can  a  diffident  heart  say,  that  it  should 
not  come  to  Jesus  Christ?  Art  thou  a  sinner,  an 
eminent  sinner?  Therefore  come  to  Him,  for  He 
came  to  thee.  It  is  such  that  He  comes  to  seek — 
they  are  the  very  objects  of  His  grace.  He  had 
nothing  else  to  do  in  the  world  but  to  save  such;  He 
came  on  purpose  for  their  sakes.  His  very  name 
tells  it:  He  shall  be  called  Jesus,  for  He  shall  save 
His  people  from  their  sins.  It  is  so  far  from  being 
a  just  hinderance,  that  it  is  the  only  title  to  His  favor- 
able intentions,  that  thou  art  a  sinner.  Were  it  not 
strange  if  one  should  say,  I  am  sick,  very  sick,  there- 
fore I  will  not  make  an  address  to  the  physician? 
And  to  say,  I  am  a  sinner,  and  a  great  one,  therefore 
I  dare  not  go  to  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  would  be 
equally  strange.  Oh,  no;  therefore  I  will  go:  He 
came  for  me;  I  am  sure  He  is  able  to  heal  me— ought 
to  be  the  lano-uasfe  of  all  such. 


140  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Cheist  the  Light  of  the  CHKiSTiAi*r. 

ry^HE  Christian  that  is  truly  acquainted  with  Him, 
JL  enamored  with  the  brightness  of  His  beauty, 
can  generously  trample  upon  the  smilings  of  the 
world  with  one  foot,  and  upon  her  frownings  with 
the  other.  If  he  be  rich  or  honorable,  or  both,  yet 
he  glories  not  in  that,  but  Christ,  who  is  the  glory 
of  the  Lord,  is  even  then  his  chiefest  glory;  and  the 
light  of  Christ  obscures  that  worldly  splendor  in  his 
estimation.  And  as  the  enjoyment  of  Christ  over- 
tops all  his  other  joys,  so  it  overcomes  his  griefs. 
As  that  great  light  drowns  the  light  of  prosperity, 
so  it  shines  bright  in  the  darkness  of  affliction:  no 
dungeon  so  close  that  it  can  keep  out  the  rays  of 
Christ's  love  from  his  beloved  prisoners.  The  world 
can  no  more  take  away  this  light,  than  it  can  give  it. 

Happiness  of  the  Life  to  Come. 

WHAT  are  these  things,  the  false  glare  and 
shadows  whereof,  in  this  earth,  are  pursued 
with  such  keen  and  furious  impetuosity — riches, 
honors,  pleasures?  All  these,  in  their  justes.t,  purest, 
and  sublimest  sense,  are  comprehended  in  this  blessed 
life:  it  is  a  treasure,  that  can  neither  f^xil  nor  be  car- 
ried away  by  force  or  fraud:  it  is  an  inheritance  un- 
corrupted  and  undefiled,  a  crown  that  fadeth  not 
away;  a  never-failing  stream  of  joy  and  delight:  it 
is  a  marriage  feast,  and  of  all  others  the  most  joyous 
and  most  sumptuous;  one  that  always  satisfies,  and 
never  cloys  the  appetite:  it  is  an  eternal  spring,  and 
an  everlasting  light,  a  day  without  an  evening:  it  is 


EOBEET    LEIGIITON.  141 

a  paradise,  where  the  lilies  are  always  white  and  in 
full  bloom,  the  saffron  blooming,  the  trees  sweat  out 
their  balsams,  and  the  tree  of  life  in  the  midst  there- 
of: it  is  a  city,  where  the  houses  are  built  of  living 
pearls,  the  gates  of  precious  stones,  and  the  sti*eets 
paved  with  the  purest  gold.  Yet,  all  these  are  no- 
thing but  veils  of  the  happiness  to  be  revealed  on 
that  most  blessed  day:  nay,  the  light  itself,  which 
we  have  mentioned  anions^  the  rest  thouo^h  it  be  the 
most  beautiful  ornament  in  this  visible  world,  is  at 
best  but  a  shadow  of  that  heavenly  glory;  and  how 
small  soever  that  portion  of  this  inaccessible  bright- 
ness may  be,  which,  in  the  sacred  Scriptures,  shines 
upon  us  through  these  veils,  it  certainly  very  well 
deserves  that  we  should  often  turn  our  eyes  toward 
it,  and  view  it  with  the  closest  attention. 

Now,  the  first  that  necessarily  occurs  in  the  con- 
stitution of  happiness,  is  a,full  and  complete  deliver- 
ance from  every  evil  and  every  grievance;  which  we 
may  as  certainly  expect  to  meet  with  in  that  heaven- 
ly life,  as  it  is  impossible  to  be  attained  while  we 
sojourn  here  below.  All  tears  shall  be  wiped  away 
from  our  eyes,  and  every  cause  and  occasion  of  tears 
for  ever  removed  from  our  sight.  There,  there  are 
no  tumults,  no  wars,  no  poverty,  no  death,  nor  dis- 
ease; there,  there  is  neither  mourning,  nor  fear,  nor 
sin,  which  is  the  source  and  fountain  of  all  other 
evils:  there  is  neither  violence  within  doors  nor  with- 
out, nor  any  complaint,  in  the  streets  of  that  blessed 
city.     There,  no  friend  goes  out,  nor  enemy  comes  in. 


142  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Fu]l   vigor    of  body   and   mind,  health,  beauty, 
purity,  and  perfect  tranquillity. 

The  most  delightful  society  of  angels,  prophets, 
apostles,  martyrs,  and  all  the  saints;  among  whom 
there  are  no  reproaches,  contentions,  controversies, 
nor  party-spirit,  because  there  are  there  noiie  of  the 
sources  whence  they  can  spring,  nor  anything  to  en- 
courage their  growth;  for  there  is  there,  particular- 
ly^, no  ignorance,  no  blind  self-love,  no  vain-glory  lior 
envy,  which  is  quite  excluded  from  those  divine  re- 
o'ions;  but,  on  the  contrary,  perfect  charity,  whereby 
every  one,  together  with  his  own  felicity,  enjoys  that 
of  his  neighbors,  and  is  happy  in  the  one  as  well  as 
the  other:  hence  there  is  among  them  a  Idnd  of  in- 
finite reflection  and  multiplication  of  happiness,  like 
that  of  a  spacious  hall  adorned  with  gold  and  pre- 
cious stones,  dignified  with  a  full  assembly  of  kings 
and  potentates,  and  having  its  walls  quite  covered 
with  the  brightest  looking-glasses. 

But  what  infinitely  exceeds,  and  quite  eclipses  all 
the  rest,  is  that  boundless  ocean  of  happiness,  which 
results  from  the  beatific  vision  of  the  evea'-blessed 
God,  without  which,  neither  the  tranquillity  they  en- 
joy, nor  the  society  of  saints,  nor  the  possession  of 
any  particular  finite  good,  nor  indeed  of  all  such 
taken  together,  can  satisfy  the  soul,  or  make  it  com- 
pletely happy. 


TvOBERT    LEIGHTON.  143 

Prayees.     I. 

PRAISE  waits  for  Thee,  O  Lord,  in  Zion;  and 
to  be  employed  in  paying  Thee  that  tribute  is 
a  becoming  and  pleasant  exercise.  It  is  due  to  Thee 
from  all  the  works  of  Thy  hands,  but  particularly 
propel'  from  Thy  saints  and  celestial  spirits.  Ele- 
vate, O  Lbrd,  our  minds,  that  they  may  not  grovel 
on  the  earth,  and  plunge  themselves  in  the  mire; 
but,  being  carried  upward,  may  taste  the  pleasures 
of  Thy  house,  that  exalted  house  of  Thine,  the 
inhabitants  whereof  are  continually  singing  Thy 
praises.  Their  praises  add  nothing  to  Thee;  but 
they  themselves  are  perfectly  happy  therein,  while 
they  behold  Thy  boundless  goodness  without  any 
veil,  admire  Thy  uncreated  beauty,  and  celebrate 
the  praises  thereof  throughout  all  ages.  Grant  us, 
that  we  may  walk  in  the  paths  of  holiness,  and, 
according  to  our  measure,  exalt  Thy  name  even  on 
this  earth,  until  we  also  be  translated  into  the  glo- 
rious asseml^ly  of  those  who  serve  Thee  in  Th}^ 
hiofher  house. 

'Remember  Thy  goodness  and  Thy  covenant  to 
Thy  church  militant  upon  this  earth,  and  exposed 
to  dangers  amid  so  many  enemies;  yet  we  believe 
that,  notwithstanding  all  these  dangers,  it  will  be 
safe  .at  last:  it  may  be  distressed,  and  plunged  in 
the  waters,  but  it  cannot  be  quite  overwhelmed,  or 
finally  perish.  We  depend  upon  Thee,  O  Father, 
without  whose  hand  we  should  not  have  been,  and 
without  whose  favor  we  can  never  be  happ3\  In- 
spire our  hearts  with  gladness,  Thou  who  alone  art 


144  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

the  fountiim  of  solid,  pure,  and  permanent  jo}^;  and 
lead  us,  by  the  paths  of  righteousness  and  grac-e,  to 
the  rest  and  light  of  glory,  for  the  sake  of  Thy  Son, 
our  Redeemer,  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

n. 

O  INVISIBLE  God,  who  seest  all  things! 
Eternal  Light,  before  Avhom  all  darkness  is 
light,  and  in  comparison  with  whom  every  other 
light  is  but  darkness !  The  weak  eyes  of  our 
understanding  cannot  bear  the  open  and  full  rays 
of  Thy  inaccessible  light;  and  yet,  Avithout  some 
glimpses  of  that  light  from  heaven,  we  can  never 
direct  our  steps,  nor  proceed  toward  that  country 
which  is  the  habitation  of  light.  May  it  therefore 
please  Thee,  O  Father  of  Lights,  to  send  forth  Thy 
light  and  Thy  truth,  that  they  may  lead  us  directly 
to  Thy  holy  mountain.  Thou  art  good,  and  the 
Fountain  of  goodness;  give  us  understanding,  that 
we  may  keep  Thy  precepts.  That  part  of  our  past 
lives,  which  we  have  lost  in  pursuing  shadows,  is 
enough,  and,  indeed,  too  much:  bring  back  otir 
souls  into  the  paths  of  life,  and  let  the  wonderful 
sweetness  thereof,  which  far  exceeds  all  the  pleas- 
ures of  this  earth,  powerfully,  yet  pleasantly,  pre- 
serve us  from  being  drawn  aside  therefrom  by  any 
temptation  from  sin  or  the  world.  Purify,  we  pray 
Thee,  our  souls  from  all  impure  imaginations,  that 
Thy  most  beautiful  and  holy  image  may  be  again 
renewed  within  us,  and,  by  contemplating  Thy  glo- 
rious perfections,  we  ma}^  feel  daily  improved  within 


ROBERT   LEIGHTON  145 

US  that  Divine  similitude,  the  perfection  whereof  avc 
hope  will  at  last  make  us  for  ever  happy  in  that  full 
and  beatific  vision  we  aspire  after.  Till  this  most 
blessed  day  break,  and  the  shadows  fly  away,  let 
Thy  Spirit  be  continually  with  us,  and  may  we 
feel  the  pow^erful  effects  of  His  Divine  grace  con- 
stantly directing  and  supporting  our  steps;  that  all 
our  endeavors,  not  only  in  this  society,  but  through- 
out the  whole  remaining  part  of  our  lives,  may 
serve  to  promote  the  honor  of  Thy  blessed  name, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

III. 

MOST  exalted  God,  who  hast  alone  created,  and 
dost  govern  this  whole  frame,  and  all  the  in- 
habitants thereof,  visible  and  invisible,  whose  name 
is  alone  Wonderful,  and  to  be  celebrated  with  the 
highest  praise,  as  it  is  indeed  above  all  praise  and 
admiration.  Let  the  heavens,  the  earth,  and  all  the 
elements  praise  Thee.  Let  darkness,  light,  all  the 
returns  of  days  and  years,  and  all  the  varieties  and 
vicissitudes  of  things,  praise  Thee.  Let  the  angels 
praise  Thee,  the  archangels,  and  all  the  blessed 
court  of  heaven,  whose  very  happiness  it  is,  that 
they  are  constantly  employed  in  celebrating  Thy 
praises.  We  confess,  O  Lord,  that  we  are  of  all 
creatures  the  most  unworthy  to  praise  Thee,  yet,  of 
all  others,  we  are  under  the  greatest  obligations  to 
do  it:  nay,  the  more  unworthy  we  are,  our  obliga- 
tion is  so  much  the  greater.  From  this  dut}",  how- 
ever unqualified   we   may  be,  we   can  by  no  means 


146  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS 

abstain,  nor,  indeed,  ought  we.  Let  our  souls  bless 
Thee,  and  all  that  is  within  us  praise  Thy  holy  name, 
who  forgivest  all  our  sins,  and  healest  all  our  dis- 
eases: who  deliverest  our  souls  from  destruction, 
and  crownest  them  with  bounty  and  tender  mercies. 
Thou  searchest  the  heart,  O  Lord,  and  perfectly 
knowest  the  most  intimate  recesses  of  it:  reject  not 
those  prayers  which  Thou  perceivest  to  be  the  voice 
and  the  wishes  of  the  heart.  Now,  it  is  the  great 
request  of  our  hearts,  unless  they  always  deceive 
us,  that  they  may  be  weaned  from  all  earthly  and 
perishing  enjoyments;  and  if  there  is  anything  to 
which  they  cleave  wdth  more  than  ordinary  force, 
may  they  be  pulled  away  from  it  by  Thy  Almighty 
hand,  that  they  may  be  joined  to  Thee  for  ever  in 
an  inseparable  marriage-covenant.  And  in  our  own 
behalf,  we  have  nothing  more  to  ask.  We  only  add, 
in  behalf  of  Thy  church,  that  it  may  be  protected 
under  the  shadow  of  Thy  wings,  and  everywhere, 
throughout  the  world,  watered  by  Thy  heavenly 
dew,  that  the  spirit  and  heat  of  worldly  hatred 
against  it  may  be  cooled,  and  its  intestine  divisions, 
whereby  it  is  much  more  grievously  scorched,  exthi- 
o^uished.     Amen. 


TV. 

ETERNAL  God,  who  art  constantly  adored  by 
thrones  and  powers,  by  seraphim  and  che- 
rubim, we  confess  that  Thou  art  most  worthy  to  be 
praised;  but  we,  of  all  otheis,  are  the  most  unwor- 
thy to  be  employed  in   showing  forth  Thy  praise. 


ROBERT    LEIGIITON.  147 

How  can  polluted  bodies,  and  impnre  sonls,  which, 
taken  together,  are  nothing  but  mere  sinks  of  sin, 
praise  Thee,  the  pure  and  holy  Majesty  of  heaven? 
Yet,  how  can  these  bodies  which  Thou  hast  wonder- 
fully formed,  and  these  souls  which  Thou  hast 
inspired,  which  owe  entirely  to  Thine  unmerited 
favor  all  that  they  are,  all  that  they  possess,  and  all 
they  hope  for,  forbear  praising  Thee,  their  wise  and 
bountiful  Creator  and  Father?  Let  our  souls,  there- 
fore, and  all  that  is  within  us,  bless  Thy  holy  name: 
yea,  let  all  our  bones  say,  O  Lord,  who  is  like  unto 
Thee,  w^ho  is  like  unto  Thee?  Far  be  it,  most  gra- 
cious Father,  from  our  hearts,  to  harbor  anything 
that  is  displeasing  to  Thee;  let  them  be,  as  it  were, 
temples  dedicated  to  Thy  service,  thoroughly  purged 
from  every  idol  and  image,  from  every  object  of 
impure  love  and  earthly  affection.  Let  our  most 
gracious  King  and  Redeemer  dwell  and  reign  within 
us.  May  He  take  full  possession  of  us  by  His  Spirit, 
and  govern  all  our  actions.  May  He  extend  His 
peaceable  and  saving  kingdom  throughout  the  whole 
habitable  world,  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  to  the 
j^ointr  down  thereof.     Amen. 

V. 

INFINITE  and  Eternal  God,  who  inhabitest  thick 
darkness  and  light  inaccessible,  whom  no  mortal 
hath  seen,  or  can  see;  yet  all  Thy  Avorks  evidently 
declare  and  proclaim  Thy  wisdom,  Thy  power,  and 
Thy  infinite  goodness:  and  Avhen  we  contemplate 
these  Thy  perfections,  what  is  it  our  souls  can  desire 


148  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

but  that  they  may  love  Thee,  worship  Thee,  serve 
Thee^  for  ever  proclaim  Thy  praise,  and  celebrate 
Thy  exalted  name,  which  is  above  all  praises  and  all 
admiration?  Thy  throne  is  constantly  surrounded 
by  thousands  and  ten  thousands  of  glorified  spirits, 
who  continually  adore  Thee  and  cry  out  without 
ceasing,  Iloly^  lioly^  lioly^  Lord  God  Almighty^  who 
was^  who  is,  and  who  zs  to  come.  Let  others  seek 
what  they  will,  and  find  and  embrace  what  they 
can;  may  we  have  always  this  one  fixed  and  set- 
tled purpose,  that  it  is  good  for  us  to  draw  near 
to  God.  Let  the  seas  roar,  the  earth  be  shaken,  and 
all  things  go  to  ruin  and  confusion;  yet,  the  soul 
that  adheres  to  God  will  remain  safe  and  quiet,  and 
shall  not  be  moved  for  ever.  O  blessed  soul  that 
has  Thee  for  its  rest,  and  all  its  salvationi  It  shall 
be  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of  water;  it 
shall  not  fear  when  heat  cometh,  nor  shall  it  be 
uneasy  in  a  year  of  drought.  It  is  our  earnest 
petition  and  prayer,  O  Father,  that  Thy  hands  may 
loosen  all  our  chains,  and  effectually  deliver  our 
souls  from  all  the  snares  and  allurements  of  the 
world  and  the  flesh;  and  that,  by  that  same  boun- 
tiful and  most  powerful  hand  of  Thine,  they  may  be 
for  ever  united  to  Thee  through  Thy  only  begotten 
Son,  who  is  our  union  and  our  peace.     Amen. 

VL 

HONOR  and  praise  is  due  to  Thee,  O  infinite 
God.     This  is  the  universal  voice  of  all  the 
blessed  spirits  on  high,  and  all  the  saints  on  earth: 


ROBERT    LEIGHTON.  149 

worthy  art  Thou,  O  Lord,  to  receive  gloiy,  aucl 
honor,  and  power,  because  Thou  hast  created  all 
thhigs,  and  for  Thy  pleasure  they  are.  We,  here 
before  Thee,  with  united  hearts  and  affections  offer 
Thee,  as  we  can,  the  sacrifice  of  gratitude,  love  and 
praise.  How  much  are  we  indebted  to  Thee,  for 
ourselves,  and  for  all  that  we  possess!  For  in  Thee 
we  live,  move,  and  have  our  being.  Thou  hast 
redeemed  us  from  our  sins,  having  given  us  the  Sou 
of  Thy  love  as  a  sacrifice  and  ransom  for  our  souls: 
the  chastisement  of  our  peace  fell  upon  Him,  and  by 
His  stripes  we  are  healed.  On  this  consideration, 
we  acknowledge  we  are  no  longer  at  our  own  dis- 
posal, since  we  are  bought  with  a  price,  and  so  very 
great  a  price,  that  we  may  glorify  Thee,  O  Father, 
and  Thy  Son,  in  our  souls  and  our  bodies,  which 
are  so  justly  Thine.  May  we  devote  ourselves  to 
Thee  through  the  whole  remaining  part  of  our  life, 
and  disdain  the  impure  and  ignoble  slavery  of  sin, 
the  world  and  the  flesh,  that  in  all  things  we  may 
demean  ourselves  as  becomes  the  sons  of  God,  and 
the  heirs  of  Thy  celestial  kingdom,  and  make  daily 
greater  progress  in  our  journey  toward  the  happy 
possession  thereof.     Amen. 

VII. 

ETERNAL  Father  of  mercies  and  of  lights,  the 
only  rest  of  the  immortal  souls  which  Thou 
hast  created,  and  their  never-failing  consolation. 
Into  what  by-paths  of  error  do  our  souls  divert,  and 
to  what  dangers  are  they  exposed  on  every  hand, 


150  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

when  they  stray  away  from  Thee!  But  while  they 
keep  within  Thy  hiding-place,  O  Most  High,  they 
are  safe  under  the  shadow  of  Thy  wiugs.  O  how 
happy  are  they,  and  how  well  do  they  live,  who 
pass  their  whole  lives  in  that  secret  abode,  where 
they  may  continually  refresh  themselves  mth  the 
delicious  fruits  of  Thy  love,  and  show  forth  Thy 
praise!  where  they  may  taste  and  see  that  Thou  art 
good,  O  Lord,  and  be  thoroughly  persuaded  of  the 
immense  riches  of  Thy  bounty,  which  all  our  mise- 
ries cannot  exceed,  nor  our  poverty  exhaust;  nay, 
which  the  constant  effusion  of  them  upon  the  whole 
universe,  and  all  its  parts,  cannot  in  the  least  dimin- 
ish. As  for  us  who  are  before  Thee,  the  most  un- 
Avorthy  of  all  Thy  creatures,  yet,  at  the  same  time, 
the  most  excessively  loaded  with  all  the  instances 
of  Thy  goodness,  can  we  avoid  crying  out  with  the 
united  voices  of  our  hearts,  Let  praise  be  ascribed 
to  the  Lord,  because  He  is  good,  and  His  mercy 
endureth  for  ever.  Who  shall  declare  the  great  and 
wonderful  works  of  God?  Who  shall  show  forth 
His  praise?  Who  ruleth  by  His  power  for  ever, 
and  His  eyes  observe  the  nations,  that  the  rebellious 
may  not  exalt  themselves.  Who  restores  our  souls 
to  life,  and  suffers  not  our  feet  to  be  moved.  But, 
on  the  other  hand,  alas!  how  justly  may  our  songs 
be  interrupted  with  bitter  lamentations,  that  under 
such  strong  and  constant  rays  of  His  bounty,  our 
hearts  are  so  cold  toward  Him!  O  how  faint  and 
lanfyuid  is  our  love  to  Him!  Hoav  very  little,  or 
near  to  nothing,  is  the  whole  of  that  flame  which 


IlOBEllT    LEIGHTON.  152 

we  feel  within  us!  And,  as  that  love  fails  within 
us,  we  misplace  our  affections  upon  the  things 
around  us;  and,  as  we  follow  vanity,  we  become 
vain  and  miserable  at  the  same  time.  But  may  Thy 
Spirit,  O  Lord,  whom  we  humbly  and  earnestly  beg 
of  Thee,  descending  into  our  hearts,  inspire  us  tho- 
roughly with  life,  vigor,  and  celestial  purity!    Amen. 

VIII. 

WHATEVER  satisfiiction  we  look  for  without 
Thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  is  mere  delusion 
and  vanity.  Yet,  though  we  have  so  often  expe- 
rienced this,  we  have  not,  to  this  day,  learned  to 
renounce  this  vain  and  fruitless  labor,  that  we  may 
depend  upon  Thee,  who  alone  canst  give  full  and 
complete  satisfaction  to  the  souls  of  men.  We 
pray,  therefore,  that,  by  Thy  Almighty  hand,  Thou 
wouldst  so  effectually  join  and  unite  our  hearts  to 
Thee,  that  they  may  never  be  separated  any  more. 
How  unhappy  are  they  wdio  forsake  Thee,  and  whose 
hearts  depart  from  Thy  ways!  They  shall  be  like 
shrubs  in  the  desert;  they  shall  not  see  when  good 
Cometh,  but  dwell  in  a  parched  and  barren  land. 
Blessed,  on  the  contrary,  is  he  who  hath  placed  his 
confidence  in  Thee:  he  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted 
by  the  rivers  of  water:  he  shall  not  be  afraid  when 
heat  Cometh,  nor  be  uneasy  in  the  time  of  drought. 
Take  from  us,  O  Lord,  whatever  earthly  enjoyments 
Thou  shalt  think  proper:  there  is  one  thing  will 
abundantly  make  up  all  our  losses;  let  Christ  dwell 
in  our  hearts  by  faith,  and  the  rays  of  Thy  favor 


152  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

continually  refresh  us  in  the  face  of  Thine  anointed: 
in  this  event,  we  have  nothing  to  ask,  but  with 
grateful  minds  shall  for  ever  celebrate  Thy  l^ounty, 
and  all  our  bones  shall  say, '  Who  is  like  unto  Thee, 
O  Lord,  who  is  like  unto  Thee? '     Amen. 


RICHARD  BAXTER. 
1G15-1691. 

Walking  with  God. 

f^  HAPPY  man,  that  walks  with  God, 
though  neglected  and  contemned  bj  all 
about  him !  What  blessed  sights  doth  he 
daily  see?  What  ravishing  tidings,  what 
pleasant  melody,  doth  he  daily  hear,  un- 
less it  be  in  his  swoons  or  sickness!  What  de- 
lectable food  doth  he  daily  taste!  He  seeth  by 
faith  the  God,  the  glory,  which  the  blessed  spirits 
see  at  hand  by  nearest  intuition!  He  seeth  that 
in  a  glass,  and  darkly,  which  they  behold  with 
open  face!  He  seeth  the  glorious  majesty  of  his 
Creator,  the  eternal  King,  the  cause  of  causes, 
the  composer,  upholder,  preserver,  and  governor 
of  all  the  worlds!  He  beholdeth  the  wonderful 
methods  of  His  providence;  and  what  he  cannot 
reach  to  see,  he  admireth,  and  waiteth  for  the 
time  when  that  also  shall  be  open  to  his  view! 
He  seeth  by  faith  the  world  of  spirits,  the  hosts 
that  attend  the  throne  of  God;  their  perfect  right- 
eousness, their  full  devotedness  to  God;  their  ar- 
dent love,  their  flaming  zeal,  their  ready  and  cheer- 
ful   obedience,   their   dignity    and    shining    glory, 

7" 


154  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

in  Avhich  the  lowest  of  them  exceedeth  that  which 
the  disciples  saw  on  Moses  and  Elias  when  they 
appeared  on  the  holy  mount,  and  talked  with  Christ! 
They  hear  by  faith  the  heavenly  concert,  the  high 
and  harmonious  songs  of  praise,  the  joyful  triumphs 
of  crowned  saints,  the  sweet  commemorations  of  the 
thinirs  which  were  done  and  suffered  on  earth,  with 
the  praises  of  Him  that  redeemed  them  by  His  blood, 
and  made  them  kings  and  priests  to  God:  herein  he 
hath  sometimes  a  sweet  foretaste  of  the  cverlastino* 
pleasures,  which  though  it  be  but  little,  as  Jona- 
than's honev  on  the  end  of  his  rod,  or  as  the  clus- 
ters  of  grapes  which  were  brought  from  Canaan 
into  the  wilderness,  yet  are  they  more  excellent 
than  all  the  delights  of  sinners.  And  in  the  behold- 
ing of  this  celestial  glory,  some  beams  do  penetrate 
his  breast,  and  so  irradiate  his  longing  soul,  that  he 
is  changed  thereby  into  the  same  image,  from  glory 
to  glory;  the  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God  doth  rest 
upon  him.  And,  oh!  what  an  excellent  holy  frame 
doth  this  converse  with  God  possess  his  soul  of! 
How  reverently  doth  he  think  of  Him!  What  life 
is  there  in  every  name  and  attribute  of  God,  which 
he  heareth  or  thinketh  on!  The  mention  of  His 
power,  His  wisdom.  His  goodness.  His  love,  His 
holiness.  His  truth,  how  powerful  and  how  pleasant 
are  they  to  him!  when  to  those  that  know  Him  but 
by  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  all  these  are  but  like  com- 
mon names  and  notions;  and  even  to  the  weaker 
sort  of  Christians,  whose  walking  with  God  is  more 
uneven,   and   low,   interrupted   l)y   their  sins,   and 


RICHARD    BAXTER.  155 

doubts,  and  fears,  this  life  and  glory  of  a  Christian 
course  is  less  perceived.* 

Prayer  ix  the  Hour  of  Death. 

PRAYER  in  general,  and  this  prayer  in  particu- 
lar, that  Christ  will  receive  our  departing  souls, 
is  a  most  suitable  conclusion  of  all  the  actions  of  a 
Christian's  life. 

Prayer  is  the  breath  of  a  Christian's  life:  it  is  his 
work  and  highest  converse,  and  therefore  fittest  to 
be  the  concluding  action  of  his  life,  that  it  may  reach 
the  end  at  which  he  aimed.  We  have  need  of  pray- 
er all  our  lives,  because  we  have  need  of  God,  and 
need  of  His  manifold  and  continued  grace.  But  in 
our  last  extremity  we  have  a  special  need.  Though 
sloth  is  apt  to  seize  upon  us,  while  prosperity  hind- 
creth  the  sense  of  our  necessities,  and  health  per- 
suadeth  us  that  time  is  not  near  its  journey's  end, 
yet  it  is  high  time  to  pray  with  redoubled  fervor  and 
importunity  when  we  see  that  we  are  near  our  last. 
When  we  find  that  we  have  no  more  time  to  pray, 
but  must  now  speak  our  last  for  our  immortal  souls, 
and  must  at  once  say  all  that  we  have  to  say,  and 
shall  never  have  a  hearing  more.  Oh,  then,  to  be 
unable  to  pray,  or  to  be  faithless  and  heartless  and 

*  This  beautiful  passage  on  walking  with  God  is  conceived  in 
the  noblest  spirit  of  hallowed  eloquence,  and  is  a  fine  illustration 
of  the  intense  ardor  of  Baxter's  mind,  the  vividness  of  his  imagin- 
ation, and  the  deep  spirituality  of  his  feelings.  It  may  be  specified 
as  one  of  the  subliraest  passages  in  his  practical  works;  and  it  has 
been  well  remarked,  that" "  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  nobler 
passage  in  the  whole  compass  of  devotional  writing.' 


156  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

hopeless  in  our  prayers,  would  be  a  calamity  beyond 
expression. 

It  is  not  a  work  tliat  you  were  never  used  to, 
though  you  have  had  lamented  backwardness  and 
coldness,  and  omissions.  It  is  not  to  a  God  that  you 
were  never  with  before;  as  you  know  whom  you  have 
believed,  so  you  may  know  to  whom  you  pray.  It  is 
indeed  a  most  important  suit  to  beg  for  the  receiA^- 
ing  of  a  departing  soul;  but  it  is  put  up  to  Him  to 
whom  it  properly  doth  belong,  and  to  Him  that  hath 
encouraged  you  by  answering  many  a  former  prayer 
with  that  mercy  which  was  the  earnest  of  this,  and 
it  is  to  Him  that  loveth  souls  much  better  than  any 
soul  can  love  itself.  O  live  in  prayer,  and  die  in 
prayer,  and  do  not,  as  the  graceless,  witless  world, 
despise  prayer  while  they  live,  and  then  think,  a 
Lord  have  mercy  on  me,  shall  prove  enough  to  pass 
them  into  heaven.  O  pray,  and  wait  but  a  little 
longer,  and  all  your  danger  will  be  past,  and  you 
are  safe  forever!  Keep  up  your  hands  a  little  longer, 
till  you  shall  end  your  conflict  with  the  last  enemy, 
and  shall  pass  from  prayer  to  everlasting  praise. 

Language  and  Power  of  Faith. 

IT  is  faith  which  overcometh  the  Avorld  and  the 
flesh,  which  must  also  overcome  the  fears  of 
death,  and  can  look  with  boldness  into  the  loath- 
some grave,  and  can  triumph  over  both  as  victorious 
through  Christ.  It  is  faith  which  can  say.  Go  forth, 
O  my  soul;  depart  in  peace;  thy  course  is  finished; 
thy  warfare  is  accomplished;  the  day  of  triumph  is 


RICHARD    BAXTER.  157 

now  at  hand;  thy  patience  hath  no  longer  work;  go 
forth  with  joy;  the  morning  of  thy  endless  joys  is 
near;  and  the  night  of  fears  and  darkness  at  an  end. 
Thy  terrible  dreams  are  ending  in  eternal  pleasures; 
the  glorious  light  will  banish  all  thy  dreadful  spec- 
tres, and  resolve  all  those  doubts  which  were  bred 
and  cherished  in  the  dark.  They  whose  employ- 
ment is  their  weariness  and  toil,  do  take  the  night 
of  darkness  and  cessation  for  their  rest;  but  this  is 
their  weariness:  defect  of  action  is  thy  toil;  and  thy 
most  grievous  labor  is  to  do  too  little  work;  and 
thy  incessant  vision,  love,  and  praise,  will  be  thy 
incessant  ease  and  pleasure;  and  thy  endless  work 
will  be  thy  endless  rest!  Depart,  O  my  soul,  with 
peace  and  gladness!  Thou  leavest  not  a  world 
where  wisdom  and  piety,  justice  and  sobriety,  love 
and  peace,  and  order  do  prevail;  but  a  world  of 
ignorance  and  folly,  of  brutish  sensuality  and  rage, 
of  impiety  and  malignant  enmity  to  good;  a  world 
of  injustice  and  oppression,  and  of  confusion  and 
distracting  strifes! 

Thou  oroest  not  from  heaven  to  earth,  from  holi- 
ncss  to  sin,  from  the  sight  of  God  into  an  infernal 
dungeon;  but  from  earth  to  heaven,  from  sin  and 
imperfection  unto  perfect  holiness,  and  from  palpa- 
ble darkness  into  the  vital  splendor  of  the  face  of 
God  !  Thou  goest  not  among  enemies,  but  to  dear- 
est friends;  not  amongst  mere  strangers,  but  to 
many  whom  thou  hast  known  by  sight,  and  to  more 
whom  thou  hast  known  by  faith,  and  must  know  by 
the   sweetest  communion  for  ever.     Thou  goest  not 


158  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

to  unsiitislied  justice,  nor  to  a  coudemniDg,  unrecon- 
ciled God;  but  to  love  itself,  to  infinite  goodness, 
the  fountain  of  all  created  and  communicated  good; 
to  the  Maker,  Eedeemer,  and  Sanctifier  of  souls;  to 
Him  who  prepared  heaven  for  thee,  and  now  hath 
prepared  thee  for  heaven.  Go  forth  then  in  tri- 
umph, and  not  w^ith  terror,  O  my  soul!  The  prize 
is  Avon:  possess  the  things  which  thou  hast  so  long 
prayed  for,  and  sought!  Make  haste  and  enter  into 
thy  Masters  joy!  Go  view  the  glory  which  thou 
hast  so  long  heard  of;  and  take  thy  place  in  the 
heavenly  choir;  and  bear  thy  part  in  their  celestial 
melody!  Sit  down  w^ith  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob, 
in  the  kingdom  of  God;  and  receive  that  which 
Christ  in  His  covenant  did  promise  to  give  thee  at 
the  last.  Go  boldly  to  that  blessed  God,  w^ith 
wdiom  thou  hast  so  poAverful  a  Mediator,  and  to  the 
throne  of  whose  grace  thou  hast  had  so  oft  and 
sweet  access. 

Second  Comixg  of  Christ. 

O  BLESSED  day,  Vvdien  our  blessed  Hend  shall 
be  revealed  from  heaven  with  His  mighty 
angels,  and  shall  come  to  be  glorified  in  His  saints 
and  admired  in  all  them  that  now  believe;  v/hose 
weakness  here  occasioned  His  dishonor  and  their  own 
contempt!  When  the  seed  of  grace  is  grown  up  into 
glory,  and  all  the  world,  whether  they  will  or  not, 
shall  discern  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked, 
between  him  that  serveth  God  and  him  that  serveth 
Him  not;  between  the  clean  and  the  unclean,  and 


RICHARD   BAXTER.  159 

between  him  that  sweareth  and  him  that  feareth  an 
oath.  And  thonijh  now  '  onr  life  is  hid  with  Christ 
in  God,'  and  it  yet  '  appeareth  not  (to  the  sight  of 
onrselvcs  or  others)  what  we  shall  be;  yet  then  when 
Christ  who  is  our  life  shall  appear,  w^e  also  shall 
appear  with  Ilim  in  glory.'  Away  then,  my  soul, 
from  tills  dark,  deceitful  and  vexatious  world!  Love 
not  thy  diseases,  thy  fetters  and  calamities.  Groan 
daily  to  thy  Lord,  and  earnestly  groan  to  be  clothed 
upon  with  thy  house  that  is  from  heaven:  2  Cor.  v. 
2,  4:  that  mortality  may  be  swallowed  up  of  life! 
Join  in  the  harmonious  desires  of  the  creatures,  Avho 
groan  to  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corrup- 
tion, into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God: 
Eom.  viii.  20-22.  'Abide  in  Him  and  walk  in 
righteousness;  that,  wdien  He  shall  appear,  thou 
mayest  have  confidence  and  not  be  ashamed  before 
Him  at  His  comino;.' 

O  watch  and  pray  that  thou  enter  not  into  tempta- 
tion! and  be  patient  for  the  Judge  is  at  the  door! 
Lift  up  thy  head  with  earnest  expectation,  O  my 
soul,  for  thy  redemption  draweth  near!  Rejoice  in 
hope  before  thy  Lord,  for  He  conieth;  He  cometh  to 
judge  the  world  in  righteousness  and  truth.  Behold, 
He  cometh  quickly,  though  faith  be  failing  and 
iniquity  abound,  and  love  waxeth  cold  and  scoficrs 
say,  Where  is  the  promise  of  His  coming?  Make 
haste,  O  Thou  wdiom  my  soul  desireth,  and  come  in 
glory  as  Thou  first  camest  in  humility,  and  conform 
them  to  Thyself  in  glory  whom  Thou  madcst  con- 
formable to  Thy  sufferings  and  humility!     Let  the 


160  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

holy  city,  new  Jerusalem,  be  prepared  as  a  bride 
adorned  for  her  husband;  and  let  God's  tabernacle 
be  with  men,  that  He  may  dwell  with  them  and  be 
their  God,  and  wipe  away  their  tears;  and  death  and 
sorrow,  and  crying  and  pain  may  be  no  more,  but 
former  things  may  pass  away!  Keep  np  our  faith, 
our  hope,  our  love,  and  daily  vouchsafe  us  some 
beams  of  Thy  directing,  consolatory  light  in  this  our 
darkness,  and  be  not  as  a  stranger  to  Thy  scattered 
flock  in  this  desolate  wilderness.  But  let  them  hear 
Thy  voice  and  find  Thy  ]3resence,  and  have  such  con- 
versation with  Thee  in  heaven,  in  the  exercise  of 
faith,  and  hope,  and  love,  which  is  agreeable  to  their 
low  and  distant  state.  Testify  to  their  souls  that 
Thou  art  their  Saviour  and  Head,  and  that  they  abide 
in  Thee,  by  the  Spirit  which  Thou  hiist  given  them, 
abiding  and  overcoming  in  them,  and  as  Thy  agent 
preparing  them  for  eternal  life.  O  let  not  our 
darkness  nor  Thy  strangeness  feed  our  odious  un- 
belief! O  show  Thyself  more  clearly  to  Thy 
redeemed  ones  !  And  come  and  dwell  in  our 
hearts  by  faith!  And  by  holy  love  let  us  d\vell  in 
God,  and  God  in  us,  that  ^ye  grope  not  after  Him, 
as  those  that  worship  an  unknown  God.  O  save  us 
from  temptation!  And  if  the  messenger  of  Satan  be 
sent  to  buffet  us,  let  Thy  strength  be  manifest  in  our 
weakness,  and  Thy  grace  appear  sufficient  for  us. 
And  give  us  the  patience  which  Thou  tellest  us  we 
need,  that  having  done  Thy  will  we  may  inherit  the 
promise.  And  bring  us  to  the  sight  and  fruition  of 
our  Creator,  of  whom,  and  through  whom,  and  to 


lilCHAKD    BAXTER.  161 

whom  are  all  lliiiigs;  to  whom  be  glory   forever. 
Amen. 

The  Saints'  Joy. 

JOY  is  itself  a  part  of  the  holy  qualification  of  the 
saints,  and  of  the  renewed  state  that  grace  hath 
brought  them  into.  '  For  the  kingdom  of  God,  as 
it  consisteth  in  righteousness,  so  in  peace  and  joy  in 
the  Holy  Ghost,'  Rom.  xiv.  17.  Believers  'receive 
not  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear;'  that  is,  they 
are  not  under  the  bondage  of  the  law,  nor  have  the 
spirit  or  state  of  mind  which  is  suited  to  those  legal 
impositions  and  terrible  comminations:  but  they 
'  have  received  the  spirit  of  adoption  by  which  they 
cry,  Abba,  Father;'  that  is,  as  they  are  brought  under 
a  more  gracious  dispensation,  and  a  better  covenant 
and  promises,  and  God  is  revealed  to  them  in  the 
gospel  as  a  reconciled  Father  through  His  Son,  so 
doth  He  treat  them  more  gently  as  reconciled  child- 
ren, and  the  spirit  which  answer eth  this  gi'acious 
covenant,  and  is  given  us  thereupon,  doth  qualify  us 
with  a  child-like  disposition,  and  cause  us  with  bold- 
ness, love,  and  confidence  to  call  God  Father,  and 
fly  to  Him  for  succor  and  supply  in  all  our  dangers 
and  necessities.  And  how  pleasant  it  must  be  to  a 
believing  soul,  to  have  this '  spirit  of  adoption,  this 
child-like  love  and  confidence  and  freedom  with  the 
Lord,  methinks  you  might  conjecture,  though  it  is 
sensibly  known  by  them  only  that  enjoy  it:  Gal.  v. 
22,  'The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,'  &c. 
When  the  word  is  first  received  by  believers,  though 


162  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

it  may  be  in  much  affliction,  through  the  persecu- 
tions and  cross  that  attend  the  gospel,  yet  is  it  ordi- 
narily 'in  the  joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost,'  1  Thess.  i.  G. 
The  Holy  Ghost  is  the  comforter  of  true  believers; 
and  if  He  have  taken  it  upon  Him  as  His  work  He 
will  surely  do  it,  in  the  degree  and  season  fittest  for 
them.  And  if  joy  itself  be  part  of  the  state  of  grace 
and  holiness,  you  may  see  that  is  the  most  delight- 
ful, 23leasant  course. 

O  blessed  life!  where  all  that  is  as^ainst  us  is  for- 
bidden,  and  all  that  is  truly  joyous  and  delightful 
and  necessary  to  make  us  happy,  is  commanded  us 
and  made  our  duty;  which  is  contrary  to  misery  as 
life  to  death,  and  as  light  to  darkness.  Come  hither, 
poor  deluded  sinners  that  fly  from  care,  and  fear  and 
sorrow.  If  you  will  but  give  up  yourselves  to  Christ 
you  shall  be  exempted  from  all  these,  except  such  as 
is  necessary  to  your  joy.  You  may  do  anything,  if 
you  will  be  the  servants  of  the  Lord,  except  that 
which  tendeth  to  your  own  and  other  men's  calamity. 
Come  hither,  all  you  that  call  for  pleasure,  and  love 
no  life  but  a  life  of  mirth.  Let  God  be  your  Master 
and  holiness  your  work,  and  pleasure  then  shall  be 
your  business  and  holy  mirth  shall  be  your  employ- 
ment. While  you  serve  the  flesh  your  pleasure  is 
small  and  your  trouble  great;  vexation  is  your  work 
and  unspeakable  vexation  is  3^our  wages.  But  if 
you  will  be  the  hearty  servants  of  the  Lord,  re- 
joicing shall  be  your  work  and  wages.  If  you  un- 
derstand not  this,  peruse  your  lesson.  Psalm  xxxiii. 
1:  'Rejoice  in  the  Lord,  O  ye  righteous,  for  praise 


PJCITARl)    BAXTER.  1G3 

is  comely  for  the  upriglit.'  'Liglit  is  sown  for  the 
righteous  and  gladness  for  the  upright  in  heart. 
Kejoice  in  the  Lord,  jg  righteous;  and  give  thanks 
at  the  remembrance  of  His  holiness,'  Psalm  xcvii.  11, 
12.  'Let  all  those  that  trust  in  Thee  rejoice:  let 
them  ever  shout  for  joy,  because  Thou  defendest 
them:  let  them  also  that  love  Thy  name  be  joyful  in 
Thee,'  Pliil.  iii.  1;  Psalm  v.  11.  'Be  glad  in  the 
Lord  and  rejoice  ye  righteous,  and  shout  for  joy  all 
ye  that  are  upright  in  heart,'  Psalm xxxii.  11.  '  Let 
Thy  priests  be  clothed  with  righteousness,  and  let 
Thy  saints  shout  for  jo^^,'  Psalm  cxxxii.  9.  '  I  will 
also  clothe  her  priests  with  salvation;  and  her  saints 
shall  shout  aloud  for  joy/  ver.  16.  Such  precepts 
and  promises  abound  in  Scripture,  which  tell  you, 
if  you  will  be  saints  indeed,  that  joy  and  gladness 
must  be  your  life  and  work. 

The  "Word  of  God. 

HOW  sweet  is  it  to  be  exercised  in  the  W^ord  of 
God!  in  hearing  or  reading  it  with  serious 
meditation!  for  the  man  that  hath  been  revived  by  it, 
renewed,  sanctified,  saved  by  it,  to  hear  that  power- 
ful, heavenly  truth,  by  which  his  soul  was  thus  made 
new!  for  the  soul  that  is  in  love  with  God,  to  hear 
or  see  His  blessed  name  on  every  leaf!  To  read  His 
will,  and  find  the  expressions  of  His  love,  His  greats 
eternal,  wondrous  love;  how  sweet  this  is,  experience 
tells  the  saints  that  feel  it.  If  you  that  feel  no 
sweetness  in  it,  believe  not  them  that  say  they  feel 
it,  at  least  believe  the  Avord  of  God  and  the  profes- 


164:  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

sions  of  Ills  ancient  saints.  '  Qli  how  I  love  Tliy 
law!  it  is  my  meditation  all  the  clay.  How  sweet  are 
Thy  words  unto  my  taste!  yea,  sweeter  than  the 
honey  and  the  honej^comb.  I  have  rejoiced  in  the 
way  of  Thy  testimonies  as  in  all  riches.  I  will  de- 
light myself  in  Thy  statutes:  I  will  not  forget  Thy 
word.  Thy  testimonies  arc  my  delight  and  my 
counsellors.  I  will  delight  myself  in  Thy  command- 
ments which  I  have  loved,  and  I  will  meditate  in 
Thy  statutes.  The  law  of  Thy  mouth  is  better  to 
me  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  Unless  Thy 
law  had  been  mj  delight,  I  had  perished  in  my 
affliction.  I  will  never  forget  Thy  precepts,  for 
with  them  Thou  hast  quickened  me.  Thy  testimo* 
nies  have  I  taken  as  an  heritage  for  ever:  for  they 
are  the  rejoicing  of  my  heart.  I  love  Thy  com- 
mandments above  gold,  yea,  above  fine  gold.  I  re- 
joice at  Thy  word  as  one  that  findeth  great  spoil. 
Great  peace  have  they  that  love  Thy  law,  and  noth- 
ing shall  ofiend  them. 

Love  of  God. 

THE  love  of  God  is  so  sweet  an  exercise,  that 
verily,  my  soul  had  rather  be  employed  in  it 
with  sense  and  vigor,  than  to  be  lord  of  all  the  earth. 
Oh  could  I  but  be  taken  up  with  the  love  of  God, 
how  easily  could  I  spare  the  pleasure  of  the  flesh! 
Might  I  but  see  the  loveliness  of  my  dear  Creator  w^ith 
a  clearer  view,  and  see  His  glory  in  His  noble  works; 
might  I  but  see  and  feel  that  saving  love  which  He 
hath  manifested  in  the  Redeemer,  till  my  soul  were 


RICHARD    BAXTER.  165 

ravished  luid  fillednvitli  His  love,  how  little  should 
I  care  who  had  the  pleasures  of  this  deceitful  world! 
Had  I  more  of  that  blessed  spirit  of  adoption,  and 
more  of  those  filial  afiections  to  my  heavenly  Father, 
which  His  unutterable  love  bespeaks;  and  were  I 
more  sensible  of  His  abundant  mercy,  and  did  my 
soul  but  breathe  and  long  after  Him  more  earnestly, 
I  w^ould  pity  the  miserable  tyrants  of  the  world,  that 
are  worse  than  beggars  wdiile  they  domineer,  and 
taste  not  of  that  kingdom  of  love  and  pleasure  that 
dwelleth  in  my  breast.  All  the  pleasures  of  the 
world  are  the  laughing  of  a  madman,  or  the  sports 
of  a  child,  or  the  dreams  of  a  sick  man,  in  comparison 
of  the  pleasures  of  the  love  of  God. 

Everlasting  Joys  of  Heaven. 

"TT  T^HEN  our  joys  are  at  the  sweetest,  this  thought 
V  V  must  needs  be  part  of  that  sweetness,  that 
their  sweetness  shall  never  have  an  end.  If  our 
foretaste  be  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory,  what 
sliall  we  call  that  joy  which  flows  from  the  most 
perfect  fruition  and  perpetuation?  1  Pet.  i.  7,  8.  We 
have  joy  here,  but  alas,  how  seldom!  alas,  how  small 
in  comparison  of  what  we  may  there  expect!  Some 
joy  we  have,  but  how  oft  do  melanchol}^,  or  crosses, 
or  losses  in  the  world,  or  temptations,  or  sins,  or 
desertions  interrupt  it!  Our  sun  is  here  most  com- 
monly under  a  cloud,  and  too  often  in  an  eclipse; 
and  we  have  the  night  as  often  as  the  day.  Yea, 
our  state  is  usually  a  winter;  our  days  are  cold  and 
short,  and  our  nis^hts  are  lono-.  But  when  the  flourish- 


1G6  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ing  state  of  glory  comes,  we  shall  have  no  intermis- 
sions nor  eclipses.  'The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the 
shining  light,  that  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the 
perfect  clay,'  Pro  v.  iv.  18.  And  the  perfect  day  is  a 
perpetual  day,  that  knows  no  interruption  by  the 
darkness  of  the  niffht.  'For  there  shall  be  no  nio^ht 
there,  nor  need  of  candle  or  sun;  for  the  Lord  God 
giveth  them  light,  and  they  shall  reign  for  ever  and 
ever,'  Rev.  xxii.  5.  This  is  the  life  that  fears  no 
death,  and  this  is  the  feast  that  fears  no  want  or 
future  famine;  the  pleasure  that  knows  nor  fears  pain; 
the  health  that  knows  nor  fears  sickness:  this  is  the 
treasure  that  fears  no  moth,  or  rust,  or  thief;  the 
building  that  fears  no  storm  nor  decay,  the  king- 
dom that  fears  no  changes  by  rebellion;  the  friend- 
ship that  fears  no  falling  out;  the  love  that  fears  no 
hatred  or  frustration;  the  glory  that  fears  no  envious 
eye;  the  possessed  inheritance  that  fears  no  ejection 
by  fraud,  or  force,  or  any  failings;  the  joy  that  feels 
or  fears  no  sorrow. 

Eepose  of  the  Soul. 

THE  trust  and  repose  of  the  soul  on  God,  which 
is  another  part  of  the  life  of  grace,  is  exceeding 
pleasant  and  quieting  to  the  soul.  To  find  that  we 
stand  upon  a  Rock,  and  that  under  us  are  the  ever- 
lasting arms,  and  that  we  have  so  full  security  for 
oiu-  salvation  as  the  promise  and  oath  of  the  immu- 
ttible  God,  what  a  stay,  what  a  pleasure  is  tliis  to  the 
])eliever!  The  troubles  of  the  godly  are  most  from 
the  remnants  of  their  unbelief     The  more  they  be- 


T^TCIIArJ)    BAXTER.  1G7 

licvc,  the  more  they  are  comforted  and  established. 
The  life  of  faith  is  a  pleasant  life.  Faith  could  not 
conquer  so  many  enemies,  and  carry  us  through  so 
much  suffering  and  distress,  as  you  find  in  that  cloud 
of  testimonies,  Heb.  xi.,  if  it  were  not  a  very  com- 
fortable work.  Even  we  that  see  not  the  salvation 
ready  to  be  revealed,  may  yet  greatly  rejoice,  for  all 
the  manifold  temptations,  that  for  a  season  make  us 
subject  to  some  heaviness,  1  Pet.  i.  5,  6.  And  we 
'  that  see  not  Jesus  Christ,  yet  believing  can  love 
Him,  and  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glor}^,'  ver.  8.  The  God  of  hope  doth  sometimes 
'  fill  His  servants  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing, 
and  makes  them  even  aboimd  in  hope  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,'  Eom.  xv.  13. 

How  TO  Live  a  PLEAS^iNT  Life. 

IF  you  would  live  a  pleasant  life  draw  near  to  God, 
and  by  faith  behold  Him,  and  by  love  adhere  to 
Him,  and  take  a  view  of  His  infinite  goodness  and 
all  His  perfections,  and  behold  Him  in  His  wondrous 
Avorks,  and  then  break  forth  into  His  cheerful  praises, 
and  you  shall  taste  such  pleasures  as  the  earth  affbrd- 
eth  not.  Launch  forth  into  the  boundless  ocean  of 
eternity,  and  let  your  hearts  and  tongues  expatiate 
in  the  praise  of  the  Heavenly  Majesty,  and  use  this 
work,  and  ply  it  close,  and  be  not  too  seldom  or  cus- 
tomary, or  careless  in  it,  and  you  shall  find  the  difier- 
ence  between  the  pleasures  of  faith  and  of  the  flesh, 
of  a  holy  and  of  a  sensual  life.  '  Ye  that  stand  in 
the  house  of  the  Lord,  in  the  courts  of  the  house  of 


168  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

our  God,  praise  the  Lord;  for  the  Lord  is  good;  sing 
praises  to  His  name,  for  it  is  pleasant,'  Psalm  cxxxy. 
2,  3.  '  Let  my  mouth  be  filled  with  Thy  praise  and 
with  Thy  honor  all  the  day,'  Psalm  Ixxi.  8.  '  Sing 
unto  the  Lord:  bless  His  name;  show  forth  His  sal- 
vation from  day  to  day.  Honor  and  majesty  are  be- 
fore Him:  strength  and  beauty  are  in  His  sanctuary,' 
Psalm  xcvi.  2,  6. 

Oh  that  the  Lord  will  but  shine  upon  my  soul  with 
the  light  of  His  countenance,  and  open  my  heart  to 
the  entertainment  of  His  love,  and  hold  a  gracious 
communion  with  my  soul  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  and 
keep  open  these  doors  to  me,  and  continue  this 
liberty  of  His  house  and  ordinances  which  we  enjoy 
this  day,  that  I  may  join  with  a  faithful,  humble 
people,  in  holy  communion,  and  in  His  praise  and 
worship,  and  that  with  a  heart  that  is  suitable  to 
these  works!  I  shall  then  say  with  David,  'The 
lines  are  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places;  I  have  a 
goodly  heritage,'  Psalm  xvi.  6.  I  will  ask  for  no 
greater  pleasures  or  honors,  or  advancement  in  this 
world!  Let  who  will  surfeit  on  the  pleasures  of  the 
flesh;  here  doth  my  soul  delight  to  dwell!  '  One 
thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will  I  seek 
after,  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  all 
the  days  of  my  life,  to  behold  the  beauty  of  the 
Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  His  holy  temple.  For  in 
the  time  of  trouble  He  will  hide  me  in  His  pavilion; 
and  in  the  secret  of  His  tabernacle  shall  He  hide  me; 
He  shall  set  me  up  upon  a  rock.  And  then  shall  my 
head   bo  lifted  up  above  mine  enemies  round  about 


rvlCTIAllD    BAXTER.  1G9 

me:  therefore  will  I  offer  in  His  tabenuiele  sacrifices 
of  joy,  I  will  sing,  yea,  I  will  sing  praises  to  the 
Lord,'  Psalm  xxvii.  4 — 6.  Till  I  come  to  the  prom- 
ised everlasting  pleasures,  I  shall  ask  of  God  no 
greater  pleasures.  These  would  be  as  much  as  my 
soul  in  the  prison  of  flesh  could  bear.  Till  I  come 
to  the  land  of  promise,  may  I  but  have  these  clusters 
of  its  grapes  in  my  present  wilderness,  I  shall  not 
repine:  'My  heart  here  shall  be  glad,  and  my  glory 
shall  rejoice,  and  at  death  my  flesh  shall  rest  in 
hope.'  For  as  the  Lord  now  showeth  me  the  '  path 
of  life,'  so  in  His  '  presence  is  fullness  of  jo}^,  and  at 
His  right  hand  are  pleasures  for  evermore,'  Psalm 
xvi.  9,  11. 

Th.vne:sgiving  ^vnd  Praise. 

ANOTHER  duty  that  holiness  consisteth  in,  is 
thanksgiving  and  praise  to  the  God  of  our 
salvation.  He  that  knows  not  that  this  w^ork  is 
pleasant,  is  unacquainted  with  it.  If  there  be  any 
thing  pleasant  in  this  world,  it  is  the  praises  of  God 
that  flow  from  a  believing,  loving  soul,  that  is  full 
of  the  sense  of  the  mercies  and  goodness  and  excel- 
lences of  the  Lord;  especially  the  unanimous  con- 
junction of  such  souls,  in  the  high  praises  of  God  in 
the  holy  assemblies.  Is  it  not  pleasant  even  to  name 
the  Lord?  to  mention  His  attributes?  to  remember  His 
great  and  wondrous  works?  to  magnify  Him  that 
rideth  on  the  heavens,  that  dwellcth  in  the  light  that 
cannot  be  approached,  that  is  clothed  with  majesty 
and  glory,  that  infinitely  surpasseth  the  sun  in  its 

8 


170  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

briglitness-  that  hath  His  throne  in  the  heavens,  and 
the  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain  Him;  and  yet 
He  delighteth  in  the  humble  soul,  and  hath  respect 
to  the  contrite;  yea,  dwells  with  them  that  tremble 
at  His  word?  Is  any  thing  so  pleasant  as  the  praises 
of  the  Lord?  How  sweet  is  it  to  see  and  praise  Him  as 
the  Creator,  in  the  various  wonderful  creatures  which 
He  hath  made!  How  pleasant  to  observe  His  works 
of  providence,  to  them  that  read  them  by  the  light  of 
the  sanctuary,  and  in  faith  and  patience  learn  the 
interpretation  from  Him  that  only  can  interpret  them! 
But  oh  how  unspeakably  pleasant  is  it  to  see  the 
Father  in  the  Son,  and  the  Godhead  in  the  manhood 
of  our  Lord,  and  the  riches  of  grace  in  the  glass  of 
the  holy  gospel,  and  the  manifold  wisdom  of  God  in 
the  Church,  where  the  angels  themselves  disdain  not 
to  behold  it!  Eph.  iii.  10,  11.  The  praising  of  God 
for  the  incarnation  of  His  Son,  w^as  a  work  that  a 
choir  of  angels  were  employed  in  as  the  instructors 
of  the  church,  Luke  ii.  13,  14.  There  is  not  a 
promise  in  the  Book  of  God,  nor  one  passage  of  the 
life  and  miracles  of  Christ,  and  the  rest  of  the  history 
of  the  gospel,  nor  one  of  the  holy  works  of  the  Spirit 
upon  the  soul,  nor  one  of  those  thousand  mercies  to 
the  Church,  or  to  ourselves  or  friends,  that  infinite 
goodness  doth  bestow,  but  contain  such  matter  of 
praise  to  God,  as  might  fill  believing  hearts  with 
pleasure,  and  find  them  most  delightful  work;  much 
more  when  all  these  are  at  once  before  us,  what  a 
feast  is  there  for  a  gracious  soul! 


richard  baxter.  171 

The  Redeemed  in  Glory. 

THE  true  believer  hath  the  small  beginnings,  and 
earnests  and  foretastes  of  the  everlasting  bless- 
edness in  this  life  in  his  approaches  to  God,  and  liv- 
ing upon  Him  by  faith  and  love,  and  in  his  believing 
apprehensions  of  the  favor  of  God,  the  grace  of 
Christ,  and  the  happiness  which  in  heaven  he  shall 
enjoy  for  ever. 

At  death  the  souls  of  true  believers  do  go  to  Christ, 
and  enter  upon  a  state  of  happiness. 

At  the  last  day  the  body  shall  be  raised  and  uni- 
ted to  the  soul,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  come 
in  glory  to  judge  the  world,  where  He  wull  openly 
absolve  and  justify  the  righteous,  when  He  coii- 
demneth  the  ungodly,  and  will  be  glorified  in  His 
saints  and  admired  in  all  them  that  do  believe;  and 
the  saints  shall  also  judge  the  w^orld,  and  be  them- 
selves adjudged  to  everlasting  glory. 

Their  everlasting  habitation  shall  be  in  the  heavens, 
even  near  unto  God,  and  in  the  presence  of  His  glory. 

Their  company  will  be  only  blessed  spirits,  even 
the  holy  angels  and  glorified  saints,  with  whom  we 
shall  be  one  body  and  constitute  the  new  Jerusalem, 
and  be  perfectly  one  in  God  for  ever. 

Their  bodies  shall  be  perfected  and  made  immor- 
tal, spiritual,  incorruptible,  and  glorious  bodies, 
shining  as  the  stars  in  the  celestial  firmament;  no 
more  subject  to  hunger  and  thirst,  or  cold  or  weari- 
ness, or  shame  or  pain,  nor  any  of  the  frailties  that 
now  adliere  unto  them,  lint  be  made  like  the  glorified 
bodv  of  Christ. 


172  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

The  souls  of  the  saints  united  to  these  bodies  shall 
also  be  perfected,  having  far  larger  capacity  to  know 
God  and  enjoy  Him  than  now  w^e  have;  being  freed 
from  all  ignorance,  error,  unbelief,  pride,  hard- 
heartedness,  and  whatsoever  sin  doth  now  accompany 
us;  and  perfected  in  every  part  of  the  image  of  God 
upon  us. 

The  eyes  of  the  glorified  body  shall  in  heaven  have 
a  glory  to  behold,  that  is  suitable  to  their  bodily 
capacity; — Heaven  being  not  a  place  where  the 
essence  of  God  is  eonfined,  but  where  a  prepared 
glory  will  be  manifested  to  make  happy  the  angels 
and  saints  with  Christ.  And  whatever  other  senses 
the  glorified  bodies  shall  then  have,  (whether  for- 
mally or  eminently,  we  cannot  now  conceive  what 
they  will  be,)  they  will  all  be  satisfied  with  suitable 
deli2:hts  from  God. 

The  blessed  Person  of  our  Redeemer  in  our  nature 
glorified,  will  there  be  the  everlasting  object  of  our 
delightful  intuition  and  fruition:  an  object  suitable 
to  the  eye  of  the  glorified  body  itself.  We  shall 
for  ever  live  in  the  sight  of  His  face,  and  in.the  sense 
of  His  unspeakable  love. 

The  glorified  soul  (whether  mediately  or  immedi- 
ately) shall  behold  the  infinite,  most  blessed  God, 
and  by  knowing  Him  be  perfected  in  knowledge. 
As  we  shall  see  the  Person  of  Jesus  Chi'ist,  and  the 
glory  of  God  with  open  fixce,  and  not  as  in  a  glass 
as  now  we  do,  so  we  shall  know  so  much  of  the  es- 
sence of  the  Deity  as  we  are  capable  of,  to  our  felicity. 

With   the  knowledge  of  God,   and  the   beatifical 


RICHARD  .BAXTER.  173 

vision,  will  be  joined  a  perfect  love  unto  Him,  and 
closure  with  His  blessed  will.  So  that  to  love  Him 
will  be  the  everlasting  employment  of  the  soul. 

This  love  will  be  drawn  forth  into  everlasting 
praise;  and  it  will  be  our  work  before  the  throne  of 
His  glory  to  magnify  the  Lord  forever. 

In  all  this  love  and  praise  and  glory,  and  in  the 
full  fruition  of  the  eternal  God,  we  shall  rejoice  with 
full  and  perfect  joy,  and  we  shall  have  full  content, 
delis^ht  and  rest. 

In  all  this  blessedness  and  glory  of  the  saints,  the 
glory  of  God  Himself  w^ill  shine,  and  angels  shall  ad- 
mire it,  and  the  condemned  spirits  with  anguish  shall 
discern  it,  that  God  may  be  glorified  in  our  glory. 

In  all  this  happiness  of  believers  and  His  own 
glory,  the  Lord  will  be  well  pleased,  and  that  bless- 
ed will  wliich  is  the  beginning  and  end  of  all,  will 
be  accomplished  and  will  have  an  eternal  compla- 
cency, as  the  saints  shall  have  an  endless  complacency 
in  God. 

Heavenly  Recognition. 

YOU  cannot  justly  think  that  the  knowledge  of 
the  glorified  shall  be  more  confused  or  imper- 
fect than  the  knowledge  of  natural  men  on  earth. 
We  shall  know  much  more,  but  not  so  much  less. 
Heaven  exceedeth  earth  in  knowledge,  as  much  as 
it  doth  in  joy. 

The  angels  in  heaven  have  now  a  distinct,  })articu- 
lar  knowledge  of  the  least  believers,  rejoicing  par- 
ticularly in  their  conversion,  and  ])cing  called  by 


174  DEVOTIONAI.    THOUGHTS. 

Christ  Himself  '  their  angels.'  Therefore,  when  ^ve 
shall  be  equal  to  the  angels,  we  shall  certainly  know 
our  nearest  friends  that  there  dwell  with  us,  and 
are  employed  in  the  same  attendance. 

Abraham  knew  the  rich  man  in  hell,  and  the  rich 
man  knew  Abraham  and  Lazarus:  therefore 'VN^e  shall 
have  as  distinct  a  knowledge. 

The  two  disciples  knew  Moses  and  Elias  in  the 
mount,  whom  they  had  never  seen  before;  though 
it  is  possible  Christ  told  them  who  they  were,  yet 
there  is  no  such  thing  expressed;  and  therefore  it  is 
as  probable  that  they  knew  them  by  the  communi- 
cation of  their  irradiating  glory:  much  more  shall 
we  be  then  illuminated  to  a  clearer  knowledge. 

It  is  said  expressly,  1  Cor.  xiii.  10-12,  that  our 
present  knowledge  shall  be  done  away  only^  in 
regard  of  its  imperfection;  and  not  of  itself,  which 
shall  be  perfected:  '  When  that  which  is  perfect  is 
come,  then  that  which  is  in  part  shall  be  done 
away;'  as  we  put  away  childish  thoughts  and 
speeches,  when  we  become  men:  the  change  will 
be  from  '  seeing  in  a  glass '  to  '  seeing  face  -to  face,' 
and  from  '  knowing  in  part '  to  '  knowing  even  as  we 
are  known.' 

And  that  w^e  shall  both  know  and  love  and 
rejoice  in  creatures,  even  in  heaven,  notwithstand- 
ing that  God  is  all  in  all,  appeareth  further  thus: 

Christ,  in  His  glorified  humanity,  is  a  creature; 
and  yet  there  is  no  doul)t  but  all  His  members  will 
there  know  and  love  Him  in  His  glorified  humanity, 
without  any  derogation  from  the  glory  of  His  Deity. 


RICHARD    BAXTER.  175 

The  body  of  Christ  will  continue  its  union,  and 
every  member  will  be  so  nearly  related,  even  in 
heaven,  that  they  cannot  choose  b«t  know  and  love 
each  other.  Shall  we  be  iofnorant  of  the  members 
of  our  body?  and  not  be  concerned  in  their  felicity 
with  whom  we  are  so  nearly  one? 

The  state  and  felicity  of  the  Church  hereafter,  is 
frequently  described  in  Scripture  as  consisting  in 
society.  It  is  a  kingdom,  the  city  of  God,  the 
heavenly  Jerusalem;  and  it  is  mentioned  as  part 
of  our  happiness  to  be  of  that  society,  Heb.  xii. 
22-24,  &c. 

It  is  put  into  the  description  of  the  happiness  of' 
the  saints,  that  they  shall  come  from  the  east,  aiid 
from  the  west,  and  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob,  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  There- 
fore they  shall  know  them,  and  take  some  comfort 
in  their  presence. 

Love  to  Saints  m  Heaven. 

LOVE,  even  to  the  saints,  as  well  as  unto  God, 
is  one  of  the  graces  which  shall  endure  for 
ever,  1  Cor.  xiii.  It  is  exercised  upon  an  immortal 
object,  the  image  and  children  of  the  Most  High, 
and  therefore  must  be  one  of  the  immortal  graces. 
For  grace  in  the  nature  of  it  dieth  not;  and  there- 
fore if  the  object  cease  not,  how  should  the  grace 
cease,  unless  you  will  call  its  perfecting  a  ceasing? 

I  must  profess,  from  the  very  experience  of  my 
soul,  that  it  is  the  belief  that  I  shall  love  my  friends 
in  heaven,  that  principally  kiudleth  my  love  to  them 


176  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

on  eartli;  and  if  I  tlionglit  I  shonlcl  never  know  them 
after  death,  and  consequently  never  love  them  more, 
when  this  life  is-  ended,  I  should  in  reason  number 
them  with  temporal  things,  and  love  them  compara- 
tively but  a  little;  even  as  I  love  other  transitory 
things,  allowing  for  the  excellency  in  the  nature  of 
grace.  Bat  now  I  converse  with  some  delight  with 
my  godly  friends,  as  believing  I  shall  converse  with 
them  for  ever,  and  take  comfort  in  the  very  dead 
and  absent,  as  believing  we  shall  shortly  meet  in 
heaven:  and  I  love  them,  I  hope,  with  a  love  that 
is  of  a  heavenly  nature,  while  I  love'  them  as  the 
heirs  of  heaven,  with  a  love  which  I  expect  shall 
there  be  perfected,  and  more  fully  and  for  ever 
exercised. 

Loss  OF  Pious  Feiends. 

DO  you  not  seem  to  forget  where  you  are  your- 
selves, and  where  you  must  shortly  and  for 
ever  live  ?  Where  would  you  have  your  friends, 
but  where  you  must  be  yourselves?  Do  you  mourn 
that  they  are  taken  hence?  Why,  if  they  had  staid 
here  a  thousand  years,  how  little  of  that  time  should 
you  have  had  their  company?  When  you  are 
almost  leaving  the  world  yourselves,  would  you 
not  send  your  treasure  before  you  to  the  place 
where  you  must  abide?  Hovf  quickly  will  you 
pass  from  hence  to  God,  w^here  you  shall  find  your 
friends  that  you  lamented  as  if  they  had  been  lost, 
and  there  shall  dwell  w^ith  them  for  ever!  O  fool- 
ish mourners!    would  you  not  have  your  friends  at 


RICHARD    BAXTER.  177 

home?  at  their  home  and  your  home,  with  their 
Father  and  your  Father,  their  God  and  your  God? 
Shall  you  not  there  enjoy  them  long  enough?  Can 
you  so  much  miss  them  for  one  day,  that  must  live 
with  them  to  all  eternity?  and  is  not  eternity  long- 
enough  to  enjoy  ^-our  friends  in? 

Live  by  Faith. 

LIVE  still  by  faith;  let  faith  lay  heaven  and 
earth  as  it  Avere  together.  Look  not  at  God 
as  if  He  were  afar  off;  set  Him  always  as  before 
you,  even  as  at  your  right  hand,  Psalm  xvi.  8.  Be 
still  Avith  Him  Avhen  you  awake.  Psalm  cxxxix.  18. 
Li  the  morning  thaiilv  Him  for  your  rest;  and  de- 
liver up  yourself  to  His  conduct  and  service  for  that 
day.  Go  forth  as  Avith  Him,  and  to  do  His  work;  do 
every  action  with  the  command  of  God  and  the 
promise  of  heaven  before  your  eyes,  and  upon  your 
hearts:  live  as  those  that  have  incomparably  more 
to  do  Avith  God  and  heaven,  than  Avith  all  this 
Avorld;  that  you  may  say  Avith  David,  'Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  Thee?  and  there  is  none  on 
earth  that  I  desire  besides  Thee:'  Psalm  Ixxiii. 
25,  26.  And  Avith  Paul,  'To  me  to  live  is  Christ, 
and  to  die  is  gain:'  Phil.  i.  21.  You  must  shut  up 
the  eye  of  sense,  save  as  subordinate  to  faith,  and 
live  by  faith  upon  a  God,  a  Christ,  and  a  Avorld  that 
is  unseen,  if  you  Avould  know  by  experience  Avhat  it 
is  to  be  above  the  brutish  life  of  sensualists,  and  to 
converse  Avith  God.    O  Christian ,  if  thou  hadst  rightly 

learned  this  blessed  life,  Avhat  a  high  and  noble  soul- 
s' 


178  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

conversation  wouldst  thou  have !  How  easily  Avouldst 
thou  spare,  and  how  little  wouldst  thou  miss,  the 
favor  of  the  greatest,  the  presence  of  any  worldly 
comfort!  City  or  solitude  would  he  much  alike  to 
thee,  saving  that  the  place  and  state  would  be  best 
to  thee,  where  thou  hast  the  greatest  help  and  free- 
dom to  converse  with  God. 

Thus  being  taken  up  with  God,  thou  mightest  live 
in  prison  as  at  liberty,  and  in  a  wilderness  as  in  a 
city,  and  in  a  place  of  banishment  as  in  th}^  native 
land;  *  for  the  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  fulness 
thereof;'  and  every  where  thou  mayst  find  Him,  and 
converse  with  Him,  and  lift  up  pure  hands  unto 
Him:  in  every  place  thou  art  within  the  sight  of 
home;  and  heaven  is  in  thine  eye,  and  thou  art  con- 
versing with  that  God,  in  whose  converse  the  high- 
est angels  do  place  their  highest  felicity  and  delight. 

Contemplation  of  God. 

WHEREVER  our  friends  are,  God  is  still  at 
hand  to  be  the  most  profitable,  honorable, 
and  delightful  ol)ject  of  our  thoughts.  There  is 
enough  in  Him  to  take  up  all  the  faculties  of  my 
soul.  He  that  is  but  in  a  well-furnished  library, 
may  find  great  and  excellent  employment  for  his 
thoughts  many  years  together;  and  so  may  he  that 
liveth  in  the  open  world,  and  hath  all  the  visible 
works  of  God  to  meditate  upon:  but  all  this  were 
nothinof  if  God  were  not  the  sense  of  books  and 
creatures.,  and  the  matter  of  all  these  noble  studies. 
He   that  is  alone,   and  hath  only  God  Himself  to 


RICHARD    BAXTER.  179 

study,  hath  the  matter  and  sense  of  all  the  books 
and  creatures  in  the  world,  to  employ  his  thoughts 
upon.  He  never  need  to  want  matter  for  his  medi- 
tation, that  hath  God  to  meditate  on.  He  need  not 
want  matter  of  discourse,  whether  mental  or  vocal, 
that  hath  God  to  talk  of,  though  he  have  not  the 
name  of  any  other  friend  to  mention.  All  our  affec- 
tions may  have  iuHiifi  the  highest  and  most  pleasant 
work.  The  soul  of  man  cannot  have  a  more  sweet 
and  excellent  work  than  to  love  Him:  he  wanteth 
neither  work  nor  pleasure,  that  in  his  solitude  is 
taken  up  in  the  believing  contemplations  of  Eternal 
Love,  and  of  all  His  blessed  attributes  and  works. 
Oh,  then,  what  happy  and  delightful  converse  may 
a  believer  have  with  God  alone!  He  is  always 
present,  and  always  at  leisure  to  be  spoken  with; 
and  always  willing  of  our  access  and  audience. 

Oh,  how  oft  have  I  been  solaced  in  God,  when  I 
found  nothing  but  deceit  and  darkness  in  the  world ! 
How  oft  hath  He  comforted  me,  when  it  was  past  the 
power  of  man!  How  oft  hath  He  relieved  and 
delivered  me,  when  all  the  help  of  man  was  vain! 
It  hath  been  my  stay  and  rest,  to  look  to  Him,  when 
the  creature  hath  been  a  broken  staff,  and  deceitful 
friends  have  been  but  as  a  broken  tooth,  or  a  foot 
that  is  out  of  joint  (as  Solomon  spcaketh  of  con- 
fidence in  an  unfaithful  man  in  time  of  trouble, 
Prov.  XXV.  29).  Verily,  as  the  world  were  but  a 
horrid  dungeon  without  the  sun,  so  it  were  a  howl- 
ing wilderness,  a  place  of  no  considerable  employ- 
ment or  delight,  were  it  not  that  in  it  we  may  live 


180  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

to  God  and  do  Him  service,  and  sometimes  be 
refreshed  with  the  light  of  His  countenance,  and 
the  communications  of  His  love. 

Solitude. 

rr^^HOUGH  a  wilderness  is  not  heaven,  it  shall  be 
jL  sweet  and  welcome,  for  the  sake  of  heaven,  if 
thence  I  may  but  have  a  clearer  prospect  of  it;  and 
if  by  retiring  from  the  crowd  and  noise  of  folly,  I 
may  but  be  more  composed  and  better  disposed  to 
converse  above,  and  to  use  my  faith  (alas!  my  too 
weak,  languid  faith)  until  the  beatifical  vision  and 
fruition  come.  If  there  may  be  but  more  of  God, 
or  readier  access  to  Him,  or  more  heart-quickening 
flames  of  love,  or  more  heart-comforting  intimations 
of  His  favor,  in  a  wilderness  than  in  a  cit}^,  in  a 
prison  than  in  a  palace,  let  that  wilderness  be  my 
city,  and  let  that  prison  be  my  palace,  while  I  must 
abide  on  earth.  If. in  solitude  I  may  have  Enoch's 
walk  with  God,  .1  shall  in  due  season  have  such  a 
translation  as  shall  bring  me  to  the  same  felicity 
which  he  enjoy eth;  and  in  the  mean  time^  as  well 
as  after,  it  is  no  disadvantage,  if  by  mortal  eyes  I 
be  seen  no  more.  If  the  chariot  of  contemplation 
Avill  in  solitude  raise  me  to  more  believing,  affec- 
tionate converse  with  heaven^  than  I  could  expect  in 
tumults  and  temptations,  it  shall  reconcile  me  unto 
solitude,  and  make  it  my  paradise  on  earth,  till  an- 
gels, instead  of  the  chariot  of  Elias,  shall  convey 
me  to  the  presence  of  my  glorified  Head,  in  the 
celestial  paradise. 


iiiciiaiid  baxter.  181 

Infinite  Goodness  of  God. 
ry^HIS  Infinite  goodness  should  be  the  matter  of 
_L    our  daily  praises.     He   that  cannot  cheerfully 
magnify  this  attribute   of  God,  so  suitable  to  the 
nature  of  the  will,  is  surely  a  stranger  to  the  praises 
of  the  Lord.     The  goodness  of  God  should  be  a 
daily  feast  to  a  gracious  soul,  and  should  continu- 
ally feed  our  cheerful  praises,  as  the  spring  or  cis- 
tern fills  the  pipes.     I  know  no  sweeter  work  on 
earth,  nay,  I  am  sure  there  is  no  sweeter,  than  for 
faithful,  sanctified   souls,  rejoicingly  to   magnify  the 
goodness  of   the  Lord,   and  join  together  in  His 
cheerful  praises.     O  Christians,  if  you  would  taste 
the  joys  of  saints,  and  live  like  the  redeemed  of  the 
Lord  indeed,  be  much  in  the  exercise  of  this  hea- 
venly work,   and  with  holy  David,  make  it  your 
employment,  and  say,  '  Oh  how  great  is  Thy  good- 
ness which  Thou  hast  laid  up   for  them  that  fear 
Thee!'  Psalm  xxxi.   19.     '  The  earth  is  full  of  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord!'  Psalm  xxxiii.  5.    What  then 
are  the  heavens?     '  Thy  congregation   hath    dwelt 
therein:  Thou,  O  Lord,  hast  prepared  Thy  goodness 
for  the  poor.'    '  Oh  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord 
for  His  goodness,  and  for  His  wonderful  works  to 
the  children  of  men!  for  He  satisfieth  the  lon<rin£r 
soul,   and  filleth  the  hungry  soul  with  goodness:' 
Psalm  cvii.  8,  9.     '  The  goodness  of  God  endureth 
continually:'  Psalm  lii.  1.     '  Truly  God  is  good  to 
Israel,  even  to  such  as  are  of  a  clean  heart:'  Psalm 
Ixxiii.  1.     '  O  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good, 
blessed  is   the   man  that  trusteth   in   Him:'   Psalm 


182  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

xxxiy.  8.  '  The  Lord  is  good,  His  mercy  is  ever- 
lasting, His  truth  endureth  from  generation  to  gen- 
eration:' Psalm  c.  5.  'The  Lord  is  good  to  all,  and 
His  tender  mercies  are  over  all  His  works:'.  Psalm 
cxlv.  9.  Oh  praise  the  Lord,  for  the  Lord  is  good; 
sing  praises  to  His  name,  for  it  is  pleasant:'  Psalm 
cxxxv.  3.  Call  Him,  as  David,  '  My  goodness,  and 
my  fortress,  my  high  tower,  and  my  deliverer,  and 
my  shield,  and  He  in  whom  I  trust:'  Psalm  cxliv.  2. 
'  Let  men  therefore  speak  of  the  glorious  honor  of 
His  majesty  and  of  His  wondrous  works:  let  them 
a])undantly  utter  the  memory  of  His  great  goodness, 
and  sino^  of  His  rjo^hteousness:'  Psalm  cxlv.  5,  7. 
If  there  be  a  thought  that  is  truly  sweet  to  the 
soul^  it  is  the.  thought  of  the  infinite  goodness  of 
the  Lord.  If  there  be  a  pleasant  w^ord  for  man  to 
speak,  it  is  the  mention  of  the  infinite  goodness  of 
the  Lord.  And  if  there  be  a  pleasant  hour  for  man 
on  earth  to  spend,  and  a  delightful  work  for  man  to 
do,  it  is  to  meditate  on,  and  with  the  saints  to  praise, 
the  infinite  goodness  of  the  Lord.  What  was  the 
glory  that  God  showed  unto  Moses,  and  the  taste 
of  heaven  that  He  gave  him  upon  earth,  but  this, 
'  I  will  make  all  my  goodness  pass  before  thee,  and 
I  will  proclaim  the  name  of  the  Lord  before  thee; 
and  I  will  be  gracious  to  whom  I  will  be  gracious, 
and  will  show  mercy  on  whom  I  will  show  mercy i' 
Exod.  xxxiii.  19.  And  His  proclaimed  name  was, 
'The  Lord,  the  Lord  God,  merciful  and  gracious, 
long-sufiering,  and  abundant  in  goodness  and  truth:' 
Exod.  xxxiv.  6.     These  were  the  holy  praises  that 


mCHAKD   BAXTER.  183 

Solomon  did  consecrate  the  temple  with,  'Arise,  O 
Lord  God,  into  Thy  resting-place.  Thou  and  the  ark 
of  Thy  strength:  let  Thy  priests,  O  Lord  God,  he 
clothed  with  salvation,  and  let  Thy  saints  rejoice 
in  goodness:'  2  Chron.  vi.  41;  see  Isaiah  Ixiii.  O 
Christians,  if  you  would  have  joy  indeed,  let  this  be 
your  employment!  Draw  near  to  God,  and  have  no 
low  undervaluino^  thouo'hts  of  His  infinite  o'oodness; 
for,  '  How  great  is  His  goodness  and  how  great  is  His 
beauty!'  Zech.  ix.  17.  Why  is  it  that  divine  con- 
solations are  so  strange  to  us,  but  because  divine 
goodness  is  so  lightly  thought  upon?  As  those  that 
think  little  of  God  at  all,  have  little  of  God  upon 
their  hearts;  so  they  that  think  but  little  of  His 
goodness  in  particular,  have  little  love,  or  joy,  or 
praise. 

The  Saviour's  Condescension  and  Love. 

OH  wonderful,  condescending  love!  Angels  pro- 
claimed it;  and  angels  admire  it,  and  search 
into  it,  and  in  the  Church's  glass  they  still  behold 
the  manifold  wisdom  of  God:  how  low,  then,  should 
redeemed  sinners  fall,  in  the  humble  admirations  of 
this  grace!  how  high  should  they  rise  in  the  thank- 
ful praise  of  their  Redeemer! 

He  came  on  earth  and  conversed  with  men,  to 
make  known  to  men  the  invisible  God,  and  the  un- 
seen things  of  the  world  above.  He  came  as  the 
Light  and  Saviour  of  the  world,  to  bring  to  light 
immortality  and  life.  He  was  holy,  liarmless,  and 
undefiled,  separated  from  sinners,  and  fulfilling  all 


184  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

righteousness,  that  He  might  be  a  meet  High  Priest 
and  effectual  Saviour  of  sinners.  He  taught  us,  by 
His  perfect  doctrine  and  example,  to  be  humble  and 
obedient,  and  to  contemn  this  world;  to  deny  our- 
selves, and  bear  the  cross,  that  we  may  attain  the 
everlasting  crown  of  glory.  He  humbled  Himself  to 
the  false  accusations  and  reproach  of  sinners,  and  to 
the  shameful  and  bitter  death  of  the  cross,  to  make 
Himself  a  sacrifice  and  propitiation  for  our  sins, 
and  a  ransom  for  our  guilty  souls,  that  we  might  be 
healed  by  His  stripes.  Oh  matchless  love,  which 
even  for  enemies,  did  thus  lay  down  His  precious 
life!  He  hath  conquered  and  sanctified  death  and 
the  grave  to  all  believers.  He,  therefore,  took  part 
of  flesh  and  blood,  that  He  might  by  death  destroy 
the  devil  that  had  the  power  of  death,  and  deliver 
them  who,  through  the  fear  of  death,  were  all  their 
lifetime  subject  unto  bondage.  He  hath  procured 
for  mankind  a  covenant  of  grace,  and  sealed  it  as 
His  testament  with  His  l)lood.  And  now  there  is  for- 
giveness with  Thee,  that  Thou  mightest  be  cheerfully 
feared  and  obeyed  in  hope.  It  was  Thine  own  love 
to  the  w^orld,  O  Father,  which  gave  Thine  only  be- 
gotten Son,  that  whosoever  truly  believeth  in  Him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.  Thou 
wast  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  Thyself, 
and  not  imputing  their  sins  unto  them.  Thou  hast 
committed  the  word  of  reconciliation  to  Thy  minis- 
ters, to  beseech  sinners,  even  in  Thy  name,  and  in 
the  stead  of  Christ,  to  be  reconciled  to  Thee.  Thou 
commandest  them  to  ofter  Thy  mercy  unto  all,   and 


RICHARD    BAXTER.  185 

by  importunity  to  compel  them  to  come  in,  that  Thy 
house  may  be  filled,  and  Thy  blessed  feast  may  be 
furnished  with  guests. 

Heavenly  Aspirations. 

WE  foresee,  by  faith,  that  happy  day.  We  see, 
by  faith,  the  new  Jerusalem;  the  innumera- 
ble angels;  the  perfect  spirits  of  the  just;  their  glo- 
rious light,  their  flaming  love,  their,  perfect  harmony. 
Wg  hear,  by  faith,  their  joyful  songs  of  thanks  and 
praise.  Lately  they  Avere  as  low  and  sad  as  we;  in 
sins  and  sorrows,  in  manifold  weaknesses,  sufierings, 
and  fears;  but  by  faith  and  patience  they  have  over- 
come; and  in  faith  and  patience  we  desire  to  follow 
our  Lord  and  them.  The  time  is  near;  this  flesh 
will  quickly  turn  to  dust,  and  our  delivered  souls 
shall  come  to  Thee:  our  life  is  short,  and  our  sins 
and  sorrows  will  be  short;  then  we  shall  have  light: 
we  shall  no  more  groan,  and  cry  out  in  darkness.  Oh 
that  Ave  could  know  the  Lord!  then  shall  Ave  love 
Thee  AAdth  pure,  unmixed,  perfect  love;  and  need  no 
more  to  groan  and  cry.  Oh  that  our  souls  Avere  in- 
flamed with  Thy  love!  then  shall  Ave  praise  Thee 
Avith  thankful  alacrity  and  joy,  which  Avill  exceed 
our  present  apprehensions  and  desires. 

O  blessed  streams  of  light  and  love,  Avhich  will 
floAV  from  Thy  opened,  glorious  face,  upon  our  souls 
forever!  Hoav  far  Avill  that  cA^erlasting  Sabbath, 
and  those  perfect  praises,  excel  these  poor  and  dull 
endeavors,  as  far  as  that  triumphant  city  of  God  ex- 
celleth  this  imperfect,  childish,  discomposed  Church. 


IQQ  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Quicken,  Lord,  our  longing  for  that  blessed  state 
and  day!  O  come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickl}^,  and 
fulfill  Thy  word,  that  ayc  may  be  with  Thee  where 
Thou  art,  and  may  behold  Thy  glory! 

Prayer  for  the  Penitent. 

OGOD,  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner!     I   confess 
not  only  my  original  sin,  but  the  follies  and 
fury  of  my  youth,  my  manifold  sins  of  ignorance 
and  knowledge,   of  negligence  and  wilfulness,   of 
omission  and  commission,  against  the  law  of  nature, 
and  against    the   grace   and  Gospel  of   Thy    Son. 
Forgive  and  save  me,  O  my  God,  for  Thy  abundant 
mercy,  and  for  the  sacrifice  and  merit  of  Thy  Son, 
and  for  the  promise  of  forgiveness  which  Thou  hast 
made  through  Him;  for  in  these  alone  is  all  my 
trust.     Condemn  me  not,  who  condemn  myself.     O 
Thou  that  hast  opened  so  precious  a  fountain  for  sin 
and  uncleanness,  wash  me  thoroughly  from  my  wick- 
edness, and  cleanse  me  from  my  sin.     Though  Thy 
justice  might  send  me  presently  to  hell,   let  Thy 
mercy  triumph   in  my   salvation.      Thou   hast   no 
pleasure    in   the   death   of  sinners,  but  rather  that 
they  repent  and  live.     If   my  repentance  be  not 
such   as   Thou   requirest,    O   soften   this  hardened, 
flinty  heart,  and  give  me  repentance  unto  life.    Turn 
me  to  Thyself,  O  God  of  my  salvation,  and  cause  Thy 
face  to  shine  upon  me.     Create  in  me  a  clean  heart, 
and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me.     Meet  not  this 
poor  returning  prodigal  in  Thy  wrath,  but  with  the 
cmbracements  of  Thy  tender  mercies.     Cast  me  not 


raciiAiiD  BAXTEr.  187 

away  from  Thy  presence,  and  sentence  me  not  to 
depart  from  Thee  with  the  workers  of  iniqnity: 
Thou  who  didst  patiently  endure  me  Avhen  I 
despised  Thee,  refuse  me  not,  now  I  seek  unto 
Thee,  and  here  in  the  dust  implore  Thy  mercy. 
Thou  didst  convert  and  pardon  a  wicked  Manas- 
seh,  and  a  persecuting  Saul,  and  there  are  multi- 
tudes in  heaven  who  were  once  Thine  enemies. 
Glorify  also  Thy  superabounding  grace  in  the  for- 
giveness of  my  abounding  sins.     Amen. 

Crucified  to  the  World. 

WHEN  once  you  are  truly  crucified  to  the 
world,  you  will  have  the  honor  and  the 
comfort  of  a  heavenly  life.  Your  thoughts  will  be 
daily  steeped  in  the  celestial  delights,  when  other 
men's  are  steeped  in  gall  and  vinegar.  You  will  be 
above  with  God,  when  your  carnal  neighbors  con- 
verse only  with  the  world.  Your  thoughts  will  be 
higher  than  their  thoughts,  and  your  ways  than 
their  ways,  as  the  heaven,  where  your  converse  is, 
is  higher  than  the  earth.  When  you  take  flight  from 
earth  in  holy  devotions,  they  may  look  at  you,  and 
wonder  at  you,  but  cannot  follow  you;  for  whither 
you  go  they  cannot  come,  till  they  are  such  as  3'Ou. 

Now  OR  Never. 

HEAVEN  is  before  you!  Death  is  at  hand! 
The  eternal  God  hath  sent  to  call  3'pu! 
Mercy  doth  yet  stretch  forth  its  arms!  You  have 
staid  too  long,  and  abused  patience  too  much  alrea- 


188  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

cly:  stay  no  longer!  O  now  please  God,  and  com- 
fort us,  and  save  yourselves  by  resolving  that  this 
shall  be  the  day!  and  faithfully  performing  of  this 
your  resolution.  Up  and  be  doing:  believe,  repent, 
desire,  obey,  and  do  all  this  Avith  all  your  might. 
Love  Him  that  you  must  love  for  ever,  and  love 
Him  with  all  your  soul  and  might:  seek  that  which 
is  truly  worth  a  seeking,  and  will  pay  for  all  your 
cost  and  pains:  and  seek  it  first  with  all  your  might; 
remembering  still  it  must  be  noio  or  never. 


JOHN  OWEN",  D.  D. 
1616-1683. 

Pkayer  to  Christ  in  Seasons  of  Distress. 

'IMES  of  great  distresses  in  conscience 
through  temptations  and  desertions,  are 
seasons  requiring  an  application  unto 
Christ  by  especial  invocation.  Persons 
in  such  conditions,  when  their  souls,  as 
the  psalmist  speaks,  are  overwhelmed  in  them, 
are  continually  solicitous  about  compassion  and 
deliverance.  Some  relief,  some  refreshment,  they 
often  find  in  pity  and  compassion  from  them  who 
either  have  been  in  the  same  condition  them- 
selves, or  by  Scripture  light  do  know  the  terror 
of  the  Lord  in  these  things.  When  their  com- 
plaints are  despised,  and  their  troubles  ascribed 
unto  other  causes  than  what  they  are  really  sensi- 
ble of,  and  feel  within  themselves — as  is  commonly 
done  by  physicians  of  no  value — it  is  an  aggrava- 
tion of  their  distress  and  sorrow.  And  they  great- 
ly value  every  sincere  endeavor  for  relief,  either 
by  counsel  or  prayer.  In  this  state  and  condition 
the  Lord  Christ  in  the  Gospel  is  projDosed  as 
full  of  tender  compassion — as  He  alone  who  is  able 
to  relieve  them.     In   that  Himself  hath  suffered, 


190  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

being  tempted,  He  is  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our 
infirmities,  and  knows  how  to  have  compassion  on 
them  that  are  out  of  the  w^ay,  Heb.  ii.  18,  iv.  15,  v. 
2.  So  is  He  also,  as  He  alone  who  is  able  to  succor, 
to  relieve,  and  to  deliver  them.  'He  is  able  to  suc- 
cor them  that  are  tempted,'  chap.  ii.  18.  Hereon 
are  they  drawn,  constrained,  encouraged  to  make 
applications  unto  Him  by  prayer,  that  He  would 
deal  with  them  according  to  His  compassion  and 
powder.  This  is  a  season  rendering  the  discharge 
of  this  duty  necessary.  And  hereby  have  innumer- 
able souls  found  consolation,  refreshment,  and  deli- 
verance. A  time  of  trouble  is  a  time  of  the  especial 
exercise  of  faith  m  Christ.  So  Himself  gives  direc- 
tion, John  xiv.  1,  'Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled: 
ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me.'  Distinct 
actings  of  faith  on  Christ  are  the  great  means  of 
supportment  and  relief  in  trouble.  And  it  is  by 
especial  invQcation,  whereby  they  put  forth  and 
exert  themselves. 

CoaiinuNiON  OF  Believers  in  Heavenly  W.oeship. 

BELIEVERS  at  present  have,  by  faith,  an  admis- 
sion into  communion  with  the  Church  above, 
in  all  its  divine  worship.  For  Ave  '  are  come  unto 
mount  Zion,  and  unto  the  city  of  the  living  God, 
the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an  innumerable 
company  of  angels,  to  the  general  assembly  and 
Church  of  the  first-born,  which  are  written  in  hea- 
ven, and  to  God  the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits 
of  just  men  made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  Mediator 


JOHN   OAVEN.  191 

of  the  new  covenant,  and  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling, 
that  speaketh  better  things  than  that  of  Abel,'  Heb. 
xii.  22-24. 

In  this  holy  assembly  and  worship  have  we 
communion  by  faith  whilst  we  are  here  below, 
Heb.  X.  19-22.  O  that  my  soul  might  abide  and 
abound  in  this  exercise  of  faith!  that  I  might  yet 
enjoy  a  clearer  prospect  of  tTiis  glor}^,  and  inspec- 
tion into  the  beauty  and  order  of  this  blessed  assem- 
bly! How  inconceivable  is  the  representation  that 
God  here  makes  of  the  glory  of  His  wisdom,  love, 
grace,  goodness,  and  mercy,  in  Christ!  How  excel- 
lent is  the  manifestation  of  the  glory  and  honor  of 
Christ  in  His  person  and  offices!  the  glory  given 
Him  by  the  Father!  How  little  a  portion  do  we 
know,  or  can  have  experience  in,  of  the  refreshing, 
satiating  communications  of  divine  love  and  good- 
ness, unto  all  the  members  of  this  assembly;  or  of 
that  unchangeable  delight  in  beholding  the  glory 
of  Christ,  and  of  God  in  Him, — of  that  ardency  of 
affections  wherewith  they  cleave  unto  Him,  and  con- 
tinual exultation  of  spirit,  whereby  they  triumph  in 
the  praises  of  God,  that  are  in  all  the  members  of  it! 
To  enter  into  this  assembly  by  faith, — to  join  with 
it  in  the  assignation  of  praises  unto  '  Him  that  sit- 
teth  on  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for  evermore,' — 
to  labor  after  a  frame  of  heart  in  holy  affections  and 
spiritual  delight  in  some  correspondency  with  that 
which  is  in  the  saints  above, — is  the  duty,  and  ought 
to  be  the  design,  of  the  Church  of  believers  here 
below.     So  mucli  as  we   are  furthered  and  assisted 


\ 


192  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

herein  by  our  present  ordinances,  so  much  benefit 
and  advantage  have  we  by  them,  and  no  more.  A 
constant  view  of  Jthis  glory  will  cast  contempt  on 
all  the  desirable  things  of  this  world,  and  deliver 
our  minds  from  any  dreadful  apprehensions  of  what 
is  most  terrible  therein. 

Visions  of 'Celestial  Gloky. 

ALL  is  open  unto  the  saints  above.  We  are  in 
the  dust,  the  blood,  the  noise  of  the  battle; 
they  are  victoriously  at  peace,  and  have  a  perfect 
vicAV  of  what  they  have  passed  through,  and  what 
they  have  attained  unto.  They  are  come  to  the 
springs  of  life  and  light,  and  are  filled  with  admira- 
tion of  the  grace  of  God  in  themselves  and  one 
another.  "What  they  see  in  God  and  in  Jesus  Christ, 
what  they  have  experience  of  in  themselves,  what 
they  know  and  learn  from  others,  are  all  of  them 
inconceivable  and  inexpressible.  It  is  well  for  us, 
if  we  have  so  much  experience  of  these  things  as 
to  see  a  real  glory  in  the  fulness  and  perfection  of 
them.  The  apprehensions  by  sight,  without  mixture 
of  unsteadiness  or  darkness,  without  the  alloy  of 
fears  or  temptations,  with  an  inefiable  sense  of  the 
things  themselves  on  their  hearts  or  minds,  are  the 
springs  or  motives  of  the  holy  worship  which  is  in 
heaven. 


JOHN   OWEN.  193 

The  Saints'  Kest. 

THIS,  in  general,  is  the  first  thing  that  the  dis- 
missed saints  are  at  rest  from:  They  sin  no 
more,  they  wound  the  Lord  Jesus  no  more,  they 
trouble  their  own  souls  no  more,  they  grieve  the 
Spirit  no  more,  they  dishonor  the  gospel  no  more, — 
they  are  troubled  no  more  with  Satan's  temptations 
without,  no  more  with  their  own  corruption  within; 
but  lie  down  in  a  constant  enjoyment  of  one  ever- 
lasting victory  over  sin,  wdth  all  its  attendants:  saith 
the  Spirit,  'They  rest  from  their  labors,'  Rev.  xiv., 
those  labors  which  make  them  faint  and  weary,  their 
contending  with  sin  to  the  uttermost.  They  are  no 
more  cold  in  communion;  they  have  not  one  thought 
that  wanders  off  from  God  to  eternity.  They  lose 
Him  no  more,  but  always  lie  down  in  His  ])osom, 
without  the  least  possibility  of  disturbance.  Even 
the  very  remembrance  of  sin  is  sweet  unto  them, 
when  they  see  God  infinitely  exalted  and  admired  in 
the  pardon  thereof.  They  are  free  from  trouble,  and 
that  both  as  to  doino^  and  sufferino*.  Few  of  the 
saints  but  are  called  out,  in  one  kind  or  another,  to 
both  these.  Every  one  is  either  doing  for  God  or 
suffering  for  God;  some  both  do  and  suffer  great 
things  for  Him.  In  either  of  them  there  is  pain, 
weariness,  travail,  labor,  trouble,  sorrow,  and  anxiety 
of  spirit;  neither  is  there  any  eminent  doing  or 
working  for  God  but  is  carried  on  with  much  suffer- 
ing to  the  outward  man. 

The  apostle  tells  us  that  '  there  remaineth  a  rest 
for  the  people  of  God;'  and  yet  w^ithal,  that  they 

9 


194  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

who  believe  are  entered  into  that  rest;  those  who  in 
their  labors,  in  their  travails,  do  take  in  the  sweet- 
ness of  that  promise  of  rest,  do  even  in  their  labor 
make  an  entrance  thereinto. 

They  rest  from  all  trouble  and  anxiety  that  attend 
them  in  their  pilgrimage,  either  in  doing  or  suffering 
for  God:  Heb.^  iv.  10.  They  enter  into  rest,  and 
cease  from  their  works.  God  wipes  all  tears 
from  their  eyes.  There  is  no  more  watching,  no 
more  fasting,  no  more  wrestling,  no  more  fighting, 
no  more  blood,  no  more  sorrow;  the  ransomed  of 
the  Lord  do  return  with  everlasting  joy  on  their 
heads,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  flee  away.  There, 
tyrants  pretend  no  more  title  to  their  kingdom; 
rebels  lie  not  in  wait  for  their  blood;  they  are  no 
more  awakened  by  the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  nor  the 
noise  of  the  instruments  of  death:  they  fear  not  for 
their  relations,  they  weep  not  for  their  friends;  the 
Lamb  is  their  temple,  and  God  is  all  in  all  unto 
them.     Yet, — - 

This  will  not  complete  their  rest;  something 
farther  is  required  thereto, — even  something  to 
satisfy,  everlastingly  content,  and  fill  them  in  the 
state  and  condition  wherein  they  are.  Free  them  in 
your  thoughts  from  what  you  please,  without  this 
they  are  not  at  rest.  This,  then,  you  have  in  the 
second  place,  God  is  the  rest  of  their  souls:  Psalm 
cxvi,  '  Return  to  thy  rest,  O  my  soul.'  Dismissed 
saints  rest  in  the  bosom  of  God,  because  in  the  fruition 
and  enjoyment  of  Him  they  are  everlastingly  satisfied, 
as  havinc:  attained  the  utmost  end  whereto  thev  were 


JOHN    OWEX.  195 

created,  all  the  blessedness  whereof  they  are  capable. 
I  could  almost  beg  for  liberty  a  little  to  expatiate  in 
this  meditation  of  the  sweet,  gracious,  glorious, 
satisfied  condition  of  a  dismissed  saint. 

The  Word  of  God. 

THE  entrance  of  it  hath  given  light  to  my  soul, 
which  was  before  in  darkness,  not  knowino: 
whither  it  went.  How  many  glorious  mysteries  do 
I  see  in  it!  what  purity,  what  spirituality,  what  holi- 
ness! etc. — all  which  speak  the  wisdom  and  power, 
and  goodness  and  holiness,  and  truth  of  the  Author 
of  it.  What  sweetness  have  I  tasted  in  it!  It  hath 
been  as  the  '  honey  and  honeycomb'  to  me.  Psalm 
xix.  10.  What  power,  what  life,  what  strange  en- 
ergy have  I  experienced  in  it!  What  a  change  hath 
it  wrought  in  me!  What  lusts  hath  it  discovered 
and  mortified!  What  duties  hath  it  convinced  me 
of,  and  engaged  me  in!  What  strength  hath  it  furn- 
ished me  with!  How  hath  it  quickened  me  w^hen  I 
was  dead  in  sin,  revived  my  comforts  when  they 
were  djdng,  actuated  my  graces  when  they  were 
languishing,  roused  me  up  when  I  was  sluggish, 
awaked  me  when  I  was  dreaming,  refreshed  me  when 
I  was  sorrowful,  supported  me  when  I  was  sinldng, 
answered  my  doubts,  conquered  my  temptations, 
scattered  my  fears,  enlarged  me  with  desires,  and 
filled  me  'with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory!' 
1  Pet.  i.  8.  And  what  word  could  ever  have  wrought 
such  effects  but  that  of  the  eternal,  all-wise,  all- 
powerful  God?     And  therefore  upon  HLs  alone  an- 


196  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

thority  I  receive  it;  Him  alone  I  adore  in  it,  whose 
power  I  have  so  often  found  working  by  it. 

A  Hiding  Place  from  the  Wind. 

CHRIST  is  a  '  hiding-place.'  He  that  was  ready 
to  be  cast  from  the  top  of  a  rock  with  a  strong 
wind,  would  desire  nothing  more  than  a  hiding-place 
until  the  strong  blast  were  over.  When  fierce  winds 
have  driven  a  vessel  at  sea  from  all  its  anchors,  so 
that  it  hath  nothing  to  keep  it  from  splitting  on  the 
next  rock  whereunto  it  is  driven,  a  safe  harbor,  a 
hiding-place,  is  the  great  desire  and  expectation  of 
the  poor  creatures  that  are  in  it.  Our  Saviour  tells 
us  what  this  wind  is:  Matt.  vii.  25.  The  wind  that 
blows  upon  and  casts  down  false  professors  to  the 
ground,  is  the  wind  of  strong  and  urging  temptations. 
Is  this  the  condition  of  the  soul?  [do]  strong  tempta- 
tions beat  upon  it,  which  are  ready  to  hurry  it  down 
into  sin  and  folly, — that  it  hath  no  rest  from  them, 
one  blast  immediately  succeeding  another, — that  the 
soul  begins  to  faint,  to  be  weary,  give  over,  and  say, 
'I  shall  perish;  I  cannot  hold  out  to  the  end?'  Is 
this  thy  condition?  See  the  Lord  Christ  suited  unto 
it,  and  the  relief  that  is  in  Him  in  this  promise, — He 
is  '  a  hiding-place.'  Saith  He,  '  These  temptations 
seek  thy  life;  but  with  me  thou  shalt  be  safe.'  Fly 
to  His  bosom,  retreat  into  His  arms,  expect  relief  by 
faith  from  Him,  and  thou  shalt  be  safe. 


JOHN    OWEN.  197 

A  Covert  fro^i  the  Tempest. 

rX^HERE  is  a  tempest;  in  reference  whereunto 
-J_  Christ  is  here  said  to  be  'a  covert.'  A  tempest, 
in  the  Scripture,  represents  the  wrath  of  God  for  sin. 
'  He  breaketh  me,'  saith  Job,  '  with  a  tempest,'  chap, 
ix.  17,  when  he  hiy  under  a  sense  of  the  displeasure 
and  indignation  of  God.  '  He  threatens  to  rain  upon 
the  wicked  '  a  horrible  tempest,'  Psalm  xi.  6. 

Suppose  a  poor  creature  to  be  under  this  tempest, 
full  of  sad  and  dreadful  thoughts  and  apprehensions 
of  the  wrath  of  God;  behind,  before,  round  about, 
he  can  see  nothing  but  hailstones  and  coals  of  fire; 
heaven  is  dark  and  dismal  over  him;  he  hath  not 
seen  sun,  moon  or  stars,  in  many  days, — not  one 
glimpse  of  light  from  above  or  hopes  of  an  end.  '  I 
shall  perish;  the  earth  shakes  under  me;  the  pit  is 
opening  for  me.  Is  there  no  hope?'  Why,  see  how 
Christ  is  suited  in  this  distress  also.  He  is  '  a  cov- 
ert' froni  this  tempest;  get  into  Him,  and  thou  shalt 
be  safe.  He  hath  borne  all  this  storm,  as  far  as  thou 
art  concerned;  abide  with  Him,  and  not  one  hurtful 
drop  shall  fall  upon  thee, — not  one  hair  of  thy  head 
shall  be  singed  with  this  fire.  Hast  thou  fears?  hast 
thou  a  sense  of  the  wrath  of  God  for  sin?  Dost 
thou  fear  .it  will  one  day  fall  upon  thee  and  be  thy 
portion?  Behold  a  covert,  a  sure  defence,  is  here 
provided. 


198  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Faith  Teiumphant  in* the  Hour  of  Death. 

IT  is  the  last  victorious  act  of  faith,  wherein  it  hath 
its  linal  conquest  over  all  its  adversaries.  Faith 
is  the  leading  grace  in  all  our  spiritual  warfare  and 
conflict;  but  all  along  while  we  live,  it  hath  faithful 
company  that  adheres  to  it,  and  helps  it.  Love 
works  and  hope  works,  and  all  other  graces, — self- 
denial,  readiness  to  the  cross, — they  all  work  and 
help  faith.  But  when  we  come  to  die,  faith  is  left 
alone.  Now,  try  what  faith  will  do.  The  exercise 
of  other  graces  ceases;  only  faith  comes  to  a  close 
conflict  Avith  its  last  adversary,  wdierein  the  whole  is 
to  be  tried.  And,  by  this  one  act  of  resigning  all 
into  the  hand  of  God,  faith  triumphs  over  death,  and 
cries,  '  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting?  O  grave,  where 
is  thy  victory?  Come,  give  me  an  inlet  into  immor- 
tality and  glory;  the  everlasting  hand  of  God  is 
ready  to  receive  me!'  This  is  the  victory  whereby 
we  overcome  all  our  spiritual  enemies. 

Fullness  of  Christ. 

FOR  the  fountain  of  grace,  the  Holy  Ghost,  He 
received  not  Him  '  by  measure,'  John  iii.  34; 
and  for  the  communications  of  the  Spirit,  '  it  pleased 
the  Father  that  in  Him  should  all  fullness  dwell,' 
Col.  i.  19, — 'that  in  all  things  He  might  have  the 
pre-eminence.' 

This  is  the  Beloved  of  our  souls,  '  hol}^,  harmless, 
undefiled;'  'full  of  grace  and  truth;'  full,  to  a  sufii- 
ciency  for  every  end  of  grace;  full,  for  practice,  to 
be  an  example  to  men  and  angels  as  to  obedience; 


JOHN    OWEN.  199 

full,  to  a  certainty  of  uninterrupted  communion  with 
God;  full  to  a  readiness  of  giving  supply  to  others; 
full,  to  suit  Him  to  all  the  occasions  and  necessities 
of  the  souls  of  men;  full,  to  a  glory  not  unbecoming 
a  subsistence  in  the  Person  of  the  Son  of  God;  full, 
to  a  perfect  victory,  in  trials,  over  all  temptations; 
full,  to  an  exact  correspondency  to  the  whole  law, 
every  righteous  and  holy  law  of  God;  full,  to  the 
utmost  capacity  of  a  limited,  created,  finite  nature; 
full,  to  the  greatest  beauty  and  glory  of  a  living  tem- 
ple of  God;  full,  to  the  full  pleasure  and  delight  of 
the  soul  of  His  Father;  full,  to  an  everlasting  monu- 
ment of  the  glory  of  God,  in  giving  such  inconceiv- 
able excellencies  to  the  Son  of  man. 


Beholding  the  Glory  of  Cheist. 

THE  heart  of  a  believer  affected  wdth  the  glory 
of  Christ,  is  like  the  needle  touched  wdth  the 
loadstone.  It  can  no  longer  be  quiet,  no  longer  be 
satisfied  in  a  distance  from  Him.  It  is  put  into  a 
continual  motion  towards  Him.  This  motion,  indeed, 
is  weak  and  tremulous.  Pantings,  breathings,  sigh- 
ings,  groanings  in  prayer,  in  meditations,  in  the 
secret  recesses  of  our  minds,  are  the  life  of  it.  How- 
ever, it  is  continually  pressing  towards  Him.  But 
it  obtains  not  its  point,  it  comes  not  to  its  centre  and 
rest  in  this  world. 

But  now  above,  all  things  are  clear  and  serene, — 
all  plain  and  evident  in  our  beholding  the  glory  of 
Christ;  we  shall  be  ever  with  Him,  and  sec  Him  as 


200  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

He  is.  This  is  heaven,  this  is  blessedness,  this  is 
eternal  rest. 

The  person  of  Christ  in  all  His  glory  shall  be  con- 
tinually before  us;  and  the  eyes  of  our  understand- 
in<rs  shall  be  so  o-loriouslv  illuminated,  as  that  we 
shall  be  able  steadily  to  behold  and  comprehend  that 
glory. 

But,  alas  !  here  at  present  our  minds  recoil, 
our  meditations  fail,  our  hearts  are  overcome,  our 
thoughts  confused,  and  our  eyes  turn  aside  from  the 
lustre  of  this  glory;  nor  can  we  abide  in  the  contem- 
plation of  it.  But  there,  an  immediate,  constant 
view  of  it,  will  brino-   in  everlastino^   refreshment 

'  ~  CD 

and  joy  unto  our  whole  souls. 

Saving  Grace. 

IT  is  in  the  nature  of  this  grace  to  grow  and  in- 
crease unto  the  end.  As  rivers,  the  nearer  they 
come  unto  the  ocean  whither  they  tend,  the  more 
they  increase  their  waters  and  speed  their  streams; 
so  will  grace  flow  more  freely  and  fully  in  its  near 
approaches  to  the  ocean  of  gloiy. 

Flourishing  of  the  Eighteous. 

rnriHE  flourishing  of  the  righteous  in  grace  and 
JL  holiness  is  the  glory  of  the  oflGlce  of  Christ  and 
of  the  gospel.  Where  tliis  is  not,  there  is  no  glory  in 
the  profession  of  our  religion.  The  glory  of  kings 
is  in  the  wealth  and  peace  of  their  subjects;  and  the 
glory  of  Christ  is  in  the  grace  and  holiness  of  His 
subjects. 


JOHN   OWEN.  201 

This  flourishing  is  compared  to  the  pahn-tree,  and 
the  growth  of  the  cedar.  The  palm-tree  is  of  the 
greatest  verdure,  beauty,  and  fruitfulness,  and  the 
cedar  of  the  greatest  and  longest  growth  of  any 
trees.  So  are  the  righteous  compared  to  the  palm- 
tree  for  the  beauty  of  profession  and  fruitfulness  in 
obedience;  and  unto  the  cedar  for  a  continual,  con- 
stant growth  and  increase  in  grace.  Thus  it  is  with 
all  that  are  righteous,  unless  it  be  from  their  own 
sinful  neglect,  as  it  is  with  many  in  this  day.  They 
are  herein  rather  like  the  shrubs  and  heaths  in  the 
wilderness,  which  see  not  when  good  cometh,  than 
like  the  palm-tree  or  the  cedars  of  Lebanon. 

Unless  we  are  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord, 
we  cannot  flourish  in  His  courts.  See  Psalm  i.  3. 
Unless  we  are  partakers  of  the  grace  administered  in 
the  ordinances,  we  cannot  flourish  in  a  fruitful  pro- 
fession. The  outward  participation  of  them  is  com- 
mon unto  hypocrites,  that  bear  some  leaves,  but 
neither  grow  like  the  cedar  nor  bear  fruit  like  the 
palm-tree.  So  the  apostle  prays  for  believers,  that 
Christ  may  dwell  in  their  hearts  by  faith,  that  they 
may  be  *  rooted  and  grounded  in  love,'  Eph.  iii.  17, 
*  rooted,  built  up  and  established,'  Col.  ii.  7.  The 
want  hereof  is  the  cause  that  we  have  so  many  fruit- 
less professors;  they  have  entered  the  courts  of  God 
by  profession,  but  were  never  planted  in  His  house 
by  faith  and  love.  Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves 
herein;  we  may  be  entered  into  the  church,  and  made 
partakers  of  the  outward  privileges  of  it,  and  not  be 

9-^ 


202  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

SO  planted  in  it  as  to  flourish  in  grace  and  fruitful- 
ness. 

Spiritual  Decays  in  the  CnRisTiiVN. 

HAVE  you,  in  the  way  of  your  profession,  had 
any  experience  of  these  spiritual  decays?  I 
doubt  not  but  that  there  are  some  who  have  been 
preserved  green  and  flourishing  from  their  first  con- 
version unto  God,  who  never  fell  under  the  power 
of  sloth,  neglect,  or  temptation,  at  least  not  for  any 
remarkable  season;  but  they  are  but  few.  It  was 
not  so  with  scarce  any  of  those  believers  under  the 
Old  Testament  whose  lives  and  walkings  are  record- 
ed for  our  instruction;  and  they  must  be  such  as 
lived  in  an  exact  and  diligent  course  of  mortification. 
And  some  there  are  who  have  obtained  relief  and 
deliverance  from  under  their  decays, — whose  back- 
slidings  have  been  healed,  and  their  diseases  cured. 
So  it  Avas  with  David,  as  he  divinely  expresseth  it, 
Psalm  ciii.  1,  3-5:  'Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul;  and 
all  that  is  within  me,  bless  His  holy  name.  Who 
forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities;  who  healeth  all  thy 
diseases;  who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction; 
wdio  crowneth  thee  with  loving-kindness  and  tender 
mercies;  who  satisfieth  thy  mouth  wdth  good  things, 
so  that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's.'  So 
doth  he  celebrate  his  deliverance  from  that  state 
wdiereof  he  complains.  Psalm  xxxviii.  And  there  is 
no  grace  or  mercy  that  doth  more  aflect  the  hearts 
of  believers,  that  gives  them  a  greater  transport  of 
joy  and  thankfulness,  than  this  of  deliverance  from 


JOHN   OWEN.  203 

backslidino's.  It  is  a  brino-ino^  of  the  soul  out  of 
prison,  which  eulargetli  it  unto  praise:  Psalm  cxlii.  7. 
Of  this  sort  I  doubt  not  but  that  there  are  many; 
for  God  hath  given  great  warnings  of  the  danger  of 
a  spiritually-decaying  state;  and  He  hath  made  great 
promises  of  recovery  from  it;  and  multitudes  in  the 
Church  are  daily  exercised  herein. 

Recovery  feom  Backsliding. 

THE  work  of  recovering  backsliders  or  believers 
from  under  their  spiritual  decays,  is  an  act  of 
sovereign  grace,  wrought  in  us  by  virtue  of  divine 
promises.  Out  of  this  eater  cometh  meat.  Because 
believers  are  liable  to  such  declensions,  backslidings 
and  decays,  God  hath  provided  and  given  unto  us 
great  and  precious  promises  of  a  recovery,  if  we 
duly  apply  ourselves  unto  the  means  of  it.  One  of 
the  places  only  wherein  they  are  recorded  I  shall 
here  call  over  and  explain,  Hos.  xiv.  1-8,  'O  Israel, 
return  unto  the  Lord  thy  God;  for  thou  hast  fallen 
by  thine  iniquity.  Take  with  j^ou  words,  and  turn 
unto  the  Lord:  say  imto  Him,  Take  away  all  ini- 
quity, and  receive  us  graciously:  so  will  we  render 
the  calves  of  our  lips,'  &c.  *I  will  heal  their  back- 
sliding, I  will  love  them  freely:  for  mine  anger  is 
turned  aAvay  from  him.  I  will  be  as  the  dew  unto 
Israel:  he  shall  grow  as  the  lily,  and  cast  forth  his 
roots  as  Lebanon.  His  branches  shall  spread,  and 
his  beauty  shall  be  as  the  olive-tree,  and  his  smell 
as  Lebanon.  They  that  dwell  under  his  shadow 
shall   return;    they  shall   revive  as   the   corn,  and 


204  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

grow  as  the  vine:  the  scent  thereof  shall  be  as  the 
wine  of  Lebanon.  Ephraim  shall  say,  What  have 
I  to  do  any  more  with  idols?  I  have  heard  him, 
and  observed  him.  I  am  like  a  green  fir-tree:  from 
me  is  thy  fruit  found.' 

How  TO  Die  Co^ifortably. 

HE,  therefore,  that  would  die  comfortably,  must 
be  able  to  say  within  himself  and  to  himself, 
*  Die,  then,  thou  frail  and  sinful  flesh;  '  dust  thou 
art,  and  unto  dust  thou  shalt  return.'  I  yield  thee 
up  unto  the  righteous  doom  of  the  Holy  One.  Yet 
therein  also  I  give  thee  into  the  hand  of  the  great 
Kefiner,  who  will  hide  thee  in  thy  grave,  and  by  thy 
consumption  purify  thee  from  all  thy  corruption  and 
disposition  to  evil.  And  otherwise  this  will  not  be. 
After  a  Ion 2:  sincere  endeavor  for  the  mortification 
of  all  sin,  I  find  it  will  never  be  absolutely  perfect, 
but  by  this  reduction  into  the  dust.  Thou  shalt  no 
more  be  a  residence  for  the  least  remainder  of  sin 
unto  eternity,  nor  any  clog  unto  my  soul  in  its  act- 
ings on  God.  Rest  therefore  in  hope;  for  JGrocl,  in 
His  appointed  season,  when  He  shall  have  a  desire 
unto  the  work  of  His  hands,  will  call  unto  thee,  and 
thou  shalt  answer  Him  out  of  the  dust.  Then  shall 
He,  by  an  act  of  His  almighty  power,  not  only 
restore  thee  unto  thy  pristine  glory,  as  at  the  first 
creation,  when  thou  wast  the  pure  workmanship  of 
His  hands,  but  enrich  and  adorn  thee  with  incon- 
ceivable privileges  and  advantages.  Be  not  then 
afraid;  away  with  all  reluctancy.    Go  into  the  dust; 


JOHN    OWEN.  205 

rest  in  hope;   '  for  thou  shalt  stand  in  thy  lot  at  the 
end  of  the  days.'    * 

The  Departing  Soul. 

THE  soul  is  now  parting  with  all  things  here 
below,  and  that  for  ever.  None  of  all  the 
things  which  it  hath  seen,  heard,  or  enjoyed,  by  its 
outward  senses,  can  be  prevailed  with  to  stay  with  it 
one  hour,  or  to  take  one  step  with  it  in  the  voyage 
wherein  it  is  engaged.  It  must  alone  by  itself 
launch  into  eternity.  It  is  entering  an  invisible 
world,  which  it  knows  no  more  of  than  it  hath 
received  by  faith.  None  hath  come  from  the  dead 
to  inform  us  of  the  state  of  the  other  world;  yea, 
God  seems  on  purpose  so  to  conceal  it  from  us,  that 
we  should  have  no  evidence  of  it,  at  least  as  unto 
the  manner  of  things  in  it,  but  what  is  given  unto 
faith  by  divine  revelation. 

Wherefore  no  man  can  comfortably  venture  on 
and  into  this  condition,  but  in  the  exercise  of  that 
faith  which  enables  him  to  resign  and  give  up  his 
departing  soul  into  the  hand  of  God,  who  alone  is 
able  to  receive  it,  and  to  dispose  it  into  a  condition 
of  rest  and  blessedness.  So  speaks  the  apostle:  'I 
am  not  ashamed;  for  I  know  whom  I  have  believed, 
and  am  persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that  which 
I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day.' 

Herein,  as  in  all  other  graces,  is  our  Lord  Jesus 

*  The  Rev.  "W.  H.  Gookl,  the  able  editor  of  Owen's  works,  has 
justly  uemarked,  that  this  passage  is  wrought  up  and  refined  into  a 
high  degree  of  Christian  eloquence. 


206  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Christ  our  great  example.  He  resigned  His  depart- 
ing spirit  into  the  hands  of  His  Father,  to  be  OAvned 
and  preserved  by  Him,  in  its  state  of  separation: 
'  Father,  into  Thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit,' 
Luke  xxiii.  46;  as  did  the  psalmist.  His  type,  in  an 
alike  condition,  Psalm  xxxi.  5.  But  the  faith  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  herein — the  object  and  exercise 
of  it,  ^'hat  He  believed  and  trusted  unto  in  this 
resignation  of  His  Spirit  into  the  hand  of  God  —  is 
at  large  expressed  in  the  16th  Psalm.  'I  have,' 
said  he,  '  set  the  Lord  always  before  me:  because  He 
is  at  my  right  hand,  I  ^hall  not  be  moved.  There- 
fore my  heart  is  glad,  and  my  glory  rejoiceth;  my 
flesh  also  shall  rest  in  hope.  For  Thou  wilt  not 
leave  my  soul  in  hell;  neither  wilt  Thou  suffer 
Thine  Holy  One  to  see  corruption.  Thou  wilt  show 
me  the  path  of  life;  in  Thy  presence  is  fullness  of 
joy,  and  at  Thy  right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for 
evermore.'  He  left  his  soul  in  the  hand  of  God,  in 
full  assurance  that  it  should  sufler  no  evil  in  its 
state  of  separation,  but  should  be  brought  again 
with  his  body  into  a  blessed  resurrection  and  eter- 
nal glory.  So  Stephen  resigned  his  soul,  departing 
under  violence,  into  the  hands  of  Christ  Himself. 
When  he  died,  he  said,  '  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my 
spirit.' 

This  is  the  last  victorious  act  of  faith,  wherein  its 
conquest  over  its  last  enemy  death  itself  doth  con- 
sist. Herein  the  soul  sa^^s  in  and  unto  itself,  '  Thou 
art  now  taking  leave  of  time  unto  eternity;  all 
things  about  thee  are  departing  as  shades,  and  will 


JOHN    OWEX.  207 

immediately  disappear.  The  things  which  thou  art 
entering  into  are  yet  invisible;  such  as  'eye  hath 
not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  nor  will  they  enter  into  the 
heart  of  man  fully  to  conceive.'  Now,  therefore, 
with  quietness  and  confidence  give  up  thyself  unto 
the  sovereign  power,  grace,  truth,  and  faithfulness 
of  God,  and  thou  shalt  find  assured  rest  and  peace.' 

True  Pleasures. 

HERE  aloiie  —  namely,  in  Christ,  and  a  partici- 
pation of  Him  —  are  true  pleasures  and  dura- 
ble riches  to  be  obtained;  ple-asures  of  the  same 
nature  with,  and  such  as,  like  pleasant  streams, 
flow  down  into  the  ocean  of  eternal  pleasures 
above.  A  few  moments  in  these  joys  are  to  be 
preferred  above  the  longest  continuance  in  the 
cursed  pleasures  of  this  world.  See  Prov.  iii.  13-18. 


WILLIAM  BATES,  D.D. 
1625-1699. 

Heavenly  Joy. 

'EAVEN  is  a  state  of  pure,  full,  and 
unfading  joy.  Tlie  joy  of  the  blessed 
is  not  mixed  with  things  that  may  cor- 
rupt its  excellence.  There  is  an  abso- 
lute exemption  from  all  evils.  '  God  shall 
wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes :  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  cry- 
ing; neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain.'  The 
joy  is  full;  it  is  called  'our  Master's  joy.'  Great 
God,  how  ineffable  is  that  joy!  It  is  the  richest 
reward  infinite  bounty  can  give  to  faithful  servants. 
As  'being  made  like  to  Christ  in  glory,'  1  John 
iii.  2,  implies  a  divine  and  full  perfection:  so  the 
'entering  into  His  joy'  implies  the  most  accom- 
plished and  incomprehensible  felicity.  It  is  a  per- 
manent joy  that  none  shall  take  from  the  blessed, 
as  our  Saviour  promises  His  disciples.  Here  be- 
low, suppose  a  person  encompassed  with  all  the 
good  things  of  the  world,  yet  this  felicity  is  neither 
without  defects,  nor  without  dependance  upon  cas- 
ual things,  that  he  is  never  completely  happy,  but 


WILLIAM    BATES.  209 

only  less  miserable:  and  though  he  lives  long  in 
prosperity,  and  hath  a  tenor  of  health  to  enjoy  it; 
yet,  as  the  clearest  evening  is  presently  followed  by 
night,  so  the  most  vigorous  old  age  is  certainly 
attended  with  death,  that  extinguishes  all  sensi;al 
pleasures.  But  in  the  '  presence  of  God  is  fullness 
of  joy;  at  His  right  hand  are  pleasures  for  ever.' 

Heavenly  Conversation. 

LET  our  conversation  be  in  heaven,  whilst  Ave 
are  upon  the  earth.  Every  thing  in  nature 
hath  a  tendency  to  its  original  and  perfection. 
Rivers  that  come  from  the  sea,  are  in  a  livinof 
motion  returning  thither;  if  you  stop  their  course, 
and  confine  them,  though  in  receptacles  of  marble, 
they  corrupt  and  die.  The  divine  nature  in  the 
saints  hath  a  strong  tendency  to  heaven,  from 
wdicnce  it  came,  and  raiseth  the  soul  by  solemn 
thoughts,  and  ardent  desires,  to  that  blessed  place. 
A  philosopher  that  w^as  asked  of  w^hat  country  he 
was,  replied,  he  was  a  citizen  of  the  w^orld.  The 
Scripture  corrects  the  language,  and  teaches  us  that 
w^e  are  citizens  of  heaven;  w^e  are  passing  to  the 
Jerusalem  above,  the  Mand  of  promise,  the  true 
land  of  the  living:'  and  all  our  aims  and  endeavors 
should  have  a  final  respect  thither.  '  Our  hearts 
should  be  where  our  treasure  is.'  How  jo3'ful,  how 
advantageous  is  a  heavenly  conversation!  The  se- 
rious and  believing  contemplation  of  heaven,  is  a 
temperate  ecstacy,  and  brings  the  soul  into  the 
divine    presence:    anticipates  the  joy   of    it   by   a 


210  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

sweet  foretaste,  by  a  supernatural  elevation  of 
mind:  by  frequent  lively  thoughts  of  our  glorious 
inheritance,  we  gradually  enter  into  it:  the  prospect 
of  that  causes  in  the  saints  a  holy  contempt  of  the 
world,  as  not  worthy  our  ambition  and  diligence:  it 
causes  such  a  self-denial  from  the  inviting  tempta- 
tions of  sense,  that  men,  whose  portion  is  in  this 
life,  are  forced  to  admire  their  restraint  from  those 
objects  that  ravish  carnal  hearts. 

The  Music  of  Heaven. 

WE  may  judge  by  the  saints  here,  when  they 
are  in  a  fit  disposition  to  praise  God,  what 
fervors  they  feel  in  their  united  praises  of  Him  in 
heaven.  The  psalmist  in  an  ecstacy  calls  to  all  the 
parts  of  the  world  to  join  with  him:  'The  Lord 
reigns,  let  the  heavens  rejoice,  and  the  earth  be 
glad;  let  the  sea  roar,  let  the  fields  be  joyful,  and 
all  that  dwell  therein.'  He  desires  that  nature 
should  be  elevated  above  itself,  that  the  dead  parts 
be  inspired  with  life,  the  insensible  feel  motions  of 
joy,  and  those  that  want  a  voice,  break  forth  in 
praises,  to  adorn  the  divine  triumph.  With  what 
life  and  alacrity  will  the  saints  in  their  blessed 
communion  celebrate  the  object  of  their  love  and 
praises!  The  seraphim  about  the  throne  '  cried  to 
one  another,'  to  express  their  zeal  and  joy,  in  cele- 
brating His  eternal  pui-ity  and  power,  and  the  glory 
of  His  goodness.  Oh  the  unspeakable  pleasure  of 
this  concert!  when  every  soul  is  harmonious,  and 
contributes  his  part  to  the  full  music  of  heaven!     O 


WILLIAM    BATES.  211 

could  we  hear  but  some  eclio  of  tnose  songs  where- 
with the  heaven  of  heavens  resounds,  some  remains 
of  those  voices  wherewith  the  saints  above  '  triumph 
in  the  praises/  in  the  solemn  adoration  of  the  Kino- 
of  spirits,  how  would  it  inflame  our  desires  to  be 
joined  with  them?  'Blessed  are  those  that  are  in 
Thy  house,  they  always  praise  Thee.' 

Death  and  Heaven. 

ART  thou  in  the  vale  of  tears,  languishing  in 
sorrow,  and  dying  every  day?  By  faith 
ascend  to  'the  mountains  of  spices,'  the  blessed 
place  above,  and  thou  wilt  find  the  comforts  of 
God  to  revive  and  delight  thy  soul. 

Let  this  reconcile  death  to  us.  The  pale  horse  is 
sent  to  bring  us  to  our  Father's  house.  The  apostle 
expresses  the  true  Christian  temper:  'In  this  we 
groan,  earnestly  desiring  to  be  clothed  with  our 
house  that  is  from  heaven:  and  we  are  willino- 
rather  to  be  absent  from  the  body,  and  present  with 
the  Lord:'  2  Cor.  v.  2,  8.  Every  saint  in  the  pres- 
ent world  is  both  a  prisoner  and  a  captive;  and  his 
soul  is  detained  from  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
sons  of  God,  by  confinement  to  his  body.  There- 
fore, methinks  he  should  not  merely  be  content  to 
die  out  of  the  necessity  of  nature,  when  he  can  live 
no  longer,  but  desire  the  happy  removal,  and  say 
with  the  Psalmist,  'I  rejoiced  when  they  said  unto 
me,  let  us  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord.'  It  is 
true,  nature  will  recoil,  and  the  extinguishing  the 
present  life,  with  all  its  sensible,  pleasant   opera- 


212  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

tioiis,  is  uneasy  to  us:  but  as  when  the  candles  are 
put  out,  the  sun  rises  in  its  brightness,  so  when  the 
natural  life  ceases,  the  spiritual  life  springs  forth  in 
its  oriency  and  glory:  'When  the  earthly  tabernacle 
is  dissolved,  the  naked,  separate  soul  shall  be  re- 
ceived into  a  building  not  made  with  hands,  eternal 
in  the  heavens.'  Our  joyful  affections,  in  leaving 
the  world,  and  ascending  to  heaven,  should  be  in 
some  manner  suitable  to  our  reception  there.  What 
a  jo3^ful  welcome  will  entertain  us  from  God  Him- 
self!.  Our  Saviour  comforted  His  disciples  with  a 
heavenly  valediction:  'I  go  to  my  Father,  and  your 
Father;  to  my  God,  and  your  God.'  The  gracious 
relation  sweetens  the  glorious.  He  that  joyfully 
receives  the  rebellious  but  penitent  son  to  grace, 
will  joyfully  receive  His  obedient  sons  to  glory. 
He  that  now  receives  their  prayers  with  the  affec- 
tion of  a  father,  will  receive  their  persons  with  the 
dearest  expressions  of  love.  His  fatherly  provi- 
dence watched  over  them  in  the  way,  and  will  tri- 
umphantly bring  them  home.  Here,  many  blessed 
testimonies  of  God's  love  are  given  to  the.  saints, 
that  produce  such  a  spiritual  sweetness  in  their 
hearts,  that  they  esteem  His  loving-kindness  as  bet- 
ter than  life,  more  worth  than  all  the  w^orld;  but 
the  full  revealing  of  His  love  is  only  in  heaven. 

Death  of  Pious  Friends. 

WHAT  father  is  so   deserted  of  reason,  as  to 
bear  impatiently  the  parting  with  his  son, 
that  gees  over  a  narrow  part  of  the  sea  to  a  rich 


WILLIAM    BATES.  213 

and  pleasant  country,  and  receives  the  investiture 
and  peaceable  possession  of  a  kingdom?  Nay,  by 
how  much  the  stronger  his  love  is,  so  much  the 
more  transportmg  is  his  joy;  especially  if  he  ex- 
pects shortly  to  be  with  him,  to  see  him  on  the 
throne,  in  the  state  of  a  king,  and  to  partake  of  his 
happiness.  If  then  it  be  impossible  to  nature  to 
be  grieved  at  the  felicity  of  one  that  is  loved;  ac- 
cording to  what  principle  of  nature  or  faith  do 
believers  so  uncomfortably  lament  the  death  of 
friends,  of  whom  they  have  assurance  that  after 
their  leaving  our  earth,  they  enter  into  an  everlast- 
ing kingdom,  to  receive  a  crown  of  glory  from 
Christ  Himself?  Our  Saviour  tells  the  disciples, 
'  If  ye  loved  me,  ye  would  rejoice,  because  I  said,  I 
go  to  my  Father,'  to  sit  dow^n  at  His  right  hand  in 
majesty.  A  pure  affection  directly  terminates  in  the 
happiness  and  exaltation  of  the  person  that  is  loved. 
I  am  not  speaking  against  the  exercise  of  tender 
affections  on  the  loss  of  our  dear  friends,  and  the 
pensive  feeling  of  God's  hand  in  it,  which  is  a  na- 
tural and  necessary  duty.  There  is  a  great  differ- 
ence between  stupidity  and  patience:  but  violent 
passion,  or  unremitting  sorrow^,  is  most  unbecoming 
the  blessed  hope  assured  to  us  in  the  Gospel. 

Perpetuity  of  Bliss. 

THE  blessedness  of  the  saints  is  without  end. 
This  makes  heaven  to  be  itself.  There  is  no 
satiety  of  the  present,  no  solicitude  for  the  future. 
Were  there  a  possibility,  or  the  least  suspicion  of 


214  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

losing  that  happy  state,  it  would  cast  an  aspersion 
of  bitterness  upon  all  their  delights:  they  could  not 
enjoy  one  moment's  repose;  but  the  more  excellent 
their  happiness  is,  the  more  stinging  would  their 
fear  be  of  parting  with  it.  'But  the  inheritance 
reserved  in  heaven  is  immortal,  undefiled,  and 
fades  not  away.'  And  the  tenure  of  their  possession 
is  infinitely  firm  by  the  divine  power,  the  true  sup- 
port of  their  everlasting  duration.  'With  God  is 
the  fountain  of  life.'  They  enjoy  a  better  immor- 
tality than  the  tree  of  life  could  have  preserved  in 
Adam.  The  revolutions  of  the  heavens,  and  ages, 
are  under  their  feet,  and  cannot  in  the  least  alter  or 
determine  their  happiness.  After  the  passing  of 
millions  of  years,  still  an  entire  eternity  remains 
of  their  enjoying  God.  O  most  desirable  state! 
where  blessedness  and  eternity  are  inseparably 
united.  O  joyful  harmony!  when  the  full  chorus  of 
heaven  shall  sins:,  '  This  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and 
ever.'  This  adds  an  infinite  weight  to  their  glory. 
This  redoubles  their  unspeakable  joys  with  infinite 
sweetness  and  security.  They  repose  themselves 
in  the  complete  fruition  of  their  happiness.  God 
reigns  in  the  saints,  and  they  live  in  Him  for  ever. 

Ever  with  the  Loed. 

THE  lively  hope  of  this  blessedness  is  powerful 
to  support  us  under  the  greatest  troubles  that 
can  befal  us  in  this  our  mortal  condition.  Here  we 
are  tossed  upon  the  alternate  waves  of  time,  but 
hereafter  we  shall   arrive  at  the  port,  the  blessed 


AVTLLIAM    BATES.  21 


O 


bosom  of  our  Saviour,  and  enjoj  a  peaceful  calm; 
'and  so  we  shall  ever  be  with  the  Lord.'  Words 
of  infinite  sweetness!  This  is  the  song  of  our  pros- 
perity, and  charm  of  our  adversity:  'We  shall  ever 
be  with  the  Lord.'  Well  might  the  apostle  add 
immediately  after,  '  Therefore  comfort  one  another 
with  these  words.' 


SYMON  PATRICK,  D.D. 
1626-1707. 

Peayeks.    I. 

t^C  GOD,  who  art  tlie  full  and  the  fill- 
ing Good;  who  satisfieth  the  desire  of 
every  living  thing,  and  therefore  will  not 
refuse  to  answer  the  desires  of  immortal 
spirits,  whom  Thou  hast  made  to  know 
how  good  Thou  art,  and  to  be  satisfied  with  no 
less  good  than  Thyself:  Thou  art  ever  pouring 
Thy  benefits  upon  us;  and  sendest  us  every  day 
some  new  token  of  Thy  love,  to  make  our  pilgrimage 
here  upon  earth  the  more  comfortable  to  us.  But 
•above  all.  Thou  art  to  be  acknowledged  in  Thy  sur- 
passing love  and  kindness  towards  us  in  Christ 
Jesus,  by  whom  Thou  hast  made  the  darkest  night 
of  trouble  and  sorrow  not  to  be  without  the  light 
of  joy  and  gladness.  I  thank  Thee,  O  God,  for  the 
great  satisfaction  which  Thou  hast  given  to  all  that 
is  within  us,  which  ought  to  bless  Thy  holy  name. 
For  Thou  hast  filled  our  minds  and  understand- 
ings with  the  highest  knowledge,  and  our  wills  with 
the  divinest  love,  and  all  our  affections  with  the 
comforts  of  hope  and  joy  in  Thee  our  God,  sufficient 
to  swallow  up  all  our  sadness  and  grief,  and  fear 


SYMON    PATRICK.  217 

and  care,  and  all  the  troublesome  passions  that  are 
in  our  hearts.  O  my  God,  hovv^  rich  art  Thou  in 
mercy  towards  us,  who  providest  that  contentment 
for  us,  which  we  seek  and  labor  after  in  these  lower 
enjoyments,  by  leading  us  to  Thyself,  the  fountain 
of  all  that  good  which  is  in  any  creature!  How 
excellent  is  Thy  loving-kindness;  Who  when  we  de- 
sire much  in  this  world,  givest  us  an  immortal  in- 
iieritance  in  the  other;  and  when  our  hearts  are  set 
iq3on  perishing  riches,  invitest  us  to  treasures  in  the 
heavens,  and  settest  before  us  eternal  honor  and  glory 
with  our  Saviour!  Besides  all  wliich,  Thou  dost  not 
deny  me  the  comfort  of  my  friends,  lovers  and  ac- 
quaintance; in  whom  I  see  likewise  how  full  of  love 
Thou  art,  and  how  ready  to  do  us  good.  Thou  wilt 
never  cease  Thyself,  I  believe,  to  follow  me  with 
Thy  loving-kindness  all  my  days,  to  take  care  of  me, 
help  and  comfort  me;  Who  hast  put  such  great  good 
Yvdll  into  tlie  hearts  of  men. 

My  soul  doth  magnify  Thee,  O  Lord;  and  my 
spirit  rejoiceth  in  Thee,  O  God  my  Saviour;  par- 
ticularly for  that  Thou  hast  promised  me  Thy  hol}^ 
Spirit  to  strengthen  and  empower  me  to  do  my  duty 
faithfully  to  Thee,  and  to  increase  in  wisdom,  charity, 
and  piety,  that  I  may  rejoice  in  Thee  evermore.  O 
that  I  may  feel  the  effect  of  these  holy  thoughts  and 
devout  acknowledgments,  in  the  constant  stillness 
and  quietness  of  my  soul,  whatsoever  the  condition 
be  into  which  Thou  art  pleased  to  bring  me.  Dis- 
pose my  heart  to  such  an  humble  confidence  in  Thee, 
that  I  may  be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  everything 

10 


218  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

by  prayer  and  supplication  make  known  my  request 
to  Tliee  with  thanksgiving.  Help  me  to  have  my 
conversation  without  covetousness,  and  to  be  con- 
tent with  such  things  as  I  have.  Let  no  solicitude 
for  the  future  discompose  my  dut}'-,  or  disturb  my 
present  enjoyment.  Eoot  out  of  my  heart  all  dis- 
trust for  Thee,  all  envy,  nncharitableness,  ambition, 
murmuring  or  repining  at  any  of  Thy  providences, 
w^ith  every  thing  else  that  dishonors  the  gospel  of 
our  Lord  Jesns,  and  misbecomes  the  Christian  spirit. 
Li  all  events,  give  me  grace  to  acqniesce  in  Thy  wis- 
dom and  love;  and  to  study  rather  how  to  mend 
myself,  than  how  to  mend  my  outward  estate:  that 
having  my  soul  still  more  and  more  furnished  with 
those  heavenly  goods  wherewith  Thou  hast  enriched 
us  l)y  Christ  Jesus,  I  may  lead  every  day  a  more 
happy  life  in  this  world,  and  be  prepared  for  that 
perfect  satisfaction  of  contentment,  whicli  we  wait 
for  iu  the  world  to  come.     Amen. 

II. 

OLORD,  the  fountain  of  all  good,  whose  bless- 
iugs  are  derived  in  several  channels  to  us, 
especially  to  our  souls;  unto  which  all  things  minis- 
ter, and  help  to  promote  their  eternal  welfare:  I  see 
the  large  and  abundant  provision  which  Thou  hast 
made  for  them  in  Christ  Jesus.  Thou  hast  opened 
the  heavens  and  let  down  eternal  life  unto  us.  Thou 
hast  set  before  us  the  glory  of  another  world,  and 
called  us  to  Thy  kingdom,  and  promised  to  make  us 
lieirs  with  Thy  only-begotten  Sou,  and  to  give  us  au 


SYMON    PATRICK.  219 

cverltistiiig  inheritance.  I  thank  Thee  that  Thou 
hast  hrought  the  word  of  Thy  gospel  so  nigh  me,  and 
put  it  even  into  my  mouth,  and  into  my  heart;  and 
that  I  have  felt  Thy  Holy  Spirit  in  my  soul,  so  often 
disposing  my  mind  and  affections  to  seek  that  blessed 
immortality.  Every  good  thing  in  this  world  bids 
me  love  Thee  and  rejoice  in  Thee,  who  art  the  giver 
of  it:  and  all  the  crosses  likewise  and  afflictions  of 
this  life  tend  to  make  me  happy,  by  teaching  me 
moderation  and  sobriety,  humility  and  heavenly- 
mindedness,  faith  in  Thee,  and  absolute  resignation 
to  Thee,  with  fervent  devotion,  and  passionate  de- 
sires after  a  better  life. 

O  God,  how  excellent  is  Thy  loving-kindness! 
therefore  the  children  of  men  put  their  trust  under 
the  shadow  of  Thy  wings.  How  inexcusable  shall  I 
be,  if  I  should  starve  in  the  midst  of  such  abundance 
and  perish,  when  Thou  hast  sent  me  such  great  sal- 
vation! How  shall  I  escape,  if,  after  Thou  hast  done 
so  much  without  my  thonglit  or  labor,  I  should  take 
no  pains  to  attain  the  end  of  Thy  extraordinary  grace 
towards  me?  Excite  in  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  a  great- 
er sense  of  Thy  love,  and  endue  me  with  a  greater 
care  to  improve  every  thing  to  the  enriching  of  my 
soul  with  spiritual  wisdom  and  all  divine  virtues; 
that  so  I  may  be  the  better  able  to  bear  all  the 
troubles  of  this  life;  and  neither  the  infirmities  and 
pains  of  this  body,  nor  the  poverty  and  meanness  of 
my  outward  estate,  nor  the  loss  and  unkindness  of 
friends,  nor  any  other  sad  accident,  may  throw  me 
into  discontent  and  impatience  of  spirit:  but  I  may 


220  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

still  remember,  that,  as  I  suffer  notliing  but  what  I 
deserve,  so  my  soul  may  be  a  gainer  by  all  my  suifer- 
iugs.  Help  me,  therefore,  instead  of  murmuring  and 
repining  at  my  present  condition,  to  apply  myself 
to  make  the  best  use  of  it,  whatsoever  it  be,  to  my 
everlasting  advantage.  Purify  and  refine  my  spirit 
more  perfectly  from  all  unreasonable  opinions,  and 
purge  out  of  my  heart  all  inordinate  affections.  Settle 
my  will  in  an  immovable  submission  to  Thine.  And, 
considering  both  that  I  am  Thy  creature  and  that  I 
am  an  offender,  enable  me  always  to  rest  satisfied 
with  Thy  proceedings,  and  acknow^ledge  that  I  am 
less  than  the  least  of  Thy  mercies. 

Pardon,  good  Lord,  all  my  ingratitude,  and  inde- 
cent complaints;  pity  my  infirmities;  accept  my  holy 
desires;  confirm  all  my  good  purposes;  strengthen 
and  empower  my  endeavors,  that  I  may  mortify 
every  bad  disposition  in  me,  faithfully  discharge  my 
duty,  rightly  use  Thy  various  blessings,  patiently 
bear  the  heaviest  afiiictions,  and  make  for  my  soul 
most  certain  provision;  by  all  the  means  of  grace, 
by  the  good  counsels  of  others,  the  inspirations  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  Thy  many  remarkable  providences 
about  me,  and  whatsoever  courses  Thou  takest  with 
me,  to  bring  me  safe  through  this  life  to  a  happy 
eternity.     Amen. 

III. 

OGOD,  in  whose  presence  is  fullness  of  joy,  and 
at  w^hose  right  hand  there  arc  pleasures  for 
evermore:  we  see  daily  how  uncertain  and  empty  all 


SYMON    PATRICK.  221 

our  enjoyments   nve  in  this  world;  and  are  directed 
by  our  constant  experience  to  look  up  higher,  and 
fix  our  hearts  on  Thee,  for  our  true  contentment  and 
satisfaction  of  spirit.     Our  eye  is  not  satisfied  with 
seeing,  nor  our  ear  filled  with  hearing;  but  after  all 
that  we   possess,   our  spirits   are   still   thirsty   and 
craving  more.     The  very  love  of  ourselves  and  our 
own  ease,  carries  us  unto  Thee;  for  we  are  extreme- 
ly miserable,  even  in  the  midst  of  abundance,  if  we 
want  Thee.     Blessed  be  Thy  goodness  that  I  know 
Thee,  and  Thy  exceeding  great  love  to  mankind  in 
Christ  Jesus.     Blessed  be  Thy  infinite  grace  that  I 
understand  where  my  happiness  lies,  and  am  not  left 
to  wander  after  the  foolish  desires  of  my  own  heart. 
O  turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity,   and 
quicken  me  in  Thy  way.     Fasten  my  mind  on  that 
immovable  bliss  which  our  Lord  hath    discovered 
unto  us,  and  fill  me  with  constant  delight  and  joy  in 
contemplation  of  it;  that  so  I  may  not  lay  out  my 
strength  for  that  which  is  not  bread,  and  my  labor  for 
that  which  satisfieth  not;  but  earnestly  pursue  that 
everlasting  life,  the  very  hope  of  which  is  so  sweet 
and  comfortable  in  this  world. 

Thou  hast  not  made  me,  I  know,  to  be  miserable 
here;  for  Thou  art  the  Father  of  mercies,  andtakest 
pleasure  in  enriching  others  with  Thy  benefits.  It 
is  Thy  glory  to  do  good:  Thou  openest  Thy  hand 
and  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  thing  living.  The 
whole  creation  acknowledges  Thy  bounty;  and  there- 
fore I  should  be  the  most  ungrateful  wretch  if  I 
shoukl  not  rejoice  in  it,  which  hath  made  me  to  want 


222  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

nothing  but  what  I  may   easily  enjoy,  and  hitherto 

hath  supplied  all  my  needs  with  a  continued  care  and 

kindness.     Preserve  me,   O  Lord,   in  a  sober  and 

serious  sense  of  the  state  of  my  own  nature,  and  of 

the  condition  of  all  things  round  about  me;  that  I 

may  not  stretch  my  desires  greedily  after  that  which 

I  do  not  need,  and  which  cannot  satisfy  and  fill  up 

the  vast  emptiness  of  my  soul,  if  I  did  enjoy  it. 

Make  me  so  wise  as  to  reflect  continually  upon  the 

trouble  as  well  as  pleasure  that  I  am  like  to  meet 

withal  in  every  change;  that  so  I  may  be  modest  in 

my  desires,  and  pursue  what  I  desire  with  an  in- 

difierent  mind,  and  enjoy  what  Thou  bestowest    on 

me  with  a  thankful  and  charitable  heart,  and  with  a 

quiet  and  undisturbed  spirit  resign  it  back  into  Thy 

hands,   when  Thou  callest  for  it.     O  blessed  Jesus, 

as  Thou  hast  made  Th^'self  my  example,  so  be  Thou 

pleased  to  be  my  guide.     Inspire  me  with  the  same 

thoughts,  inclinations,  desires,  and  resolutions  which 

were  in  Thy  blessed  nature.     Help  me  to  place  my 

satisfaction  there,  where  Thou  livest  in   perpetual 

peace,  amidst  all  the  troubles  and  vexation-s  of  this 

life.     Raise  my  spirit  to   that   great   and  sublime 

good,  which   none    can    touch,  much    less  remove; 

that,  remaining  in  an  unshaken  possession  of  Thy 

love,   and  being  lifted  up   in  noble   hopes   of  the 

glory  to  which  Thy  love  will  promote  Thy  faithful 

servants,  I  may  not  feel  myself  altered  by  any  of 

the  chano^es  which  are  in  the  thinc^s  that  are  under 

my  feet.     Dispose  my  mind,  O  God,  to  the  sweetest 

and  most  gentle  compliance  with  Thy  providence. 


SYMON    PATEICK.  223 

And  make  me  so  perfectly  in  love  with  Thy  will, 
that  all  that  is  great,  or  glorious,  or  delightful  in 
this  world,  I  may  enjoy  in  a  pure  and  clear  con- 
science, void  of  offence  towards  Thee  and  towards 
all  men.  O  the  deliciousness  of  those  pleasures! 
O  the  divineness  of  those  joys!  Bless  me  daily  with 
a  stronger  taste  of  them,  and  satisfaction  in  them, 
till  I  come  to  enjoy  that  reward  of  well-doing, 
which  exceeds  all  thoughts  and  desires,  through  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Christ  Jesus.     Amen. 

IV. 
ADORE  and  praise,  O  Lord,  Thy  greatness.  Thy 
power,  wisdom,  and  goodness,  which  shine  in  all 
Thy  woi'lvs  of  creation  and  providence.  They  all 
shoAV  forth  the  majesty  of  Thy  glory;  and  are 
placed  and  move  in  such  comely  order,  that  Thou 
Thyself  rejoicest  in  all  Thy  Avorks,  and  art  perfectly 
pleased  even  in  that  which  gives  us  grief  and  trou- 
ble. It  is  our  duty,  O  blessed  God,  to  be  pleased 
too,  and  to  rejoice  in  this  knowledge  which  Thou 
hast  given  us  of  Thee,  who  art  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting,  and  changest  not,  but  art  ever  the  same 
immutable  love,  exercising  the  most  wise  and  tender 
providence  in  every  part  of  this  great  world;  and 
more  especially  over  mankind,  to  whom  Thou  hast 
shown  the  highest  kindness,  and  given  unquestiona- 
ble testimonies  of  Thy  singular  care  of  them,  and 
good-will  towards  them. 

O  God,  what  tilings   arc   those  Avhich  Thou  hast 
laid  up  for  those  that  fear  Thee;  for  those  that  trust 


224  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

in  Thee,  and  depend  entirely  on  Thy  goodness,  and 
submit  to  Thy  will  and  pleasure!  In  what  a  kind 
relation  Thou  art  pleased  to  stand  unto  ns,  that  we 
may  be  confident  Thou  dearly  lovest  us,  and  wilt 
take  care  of  us!  All  ages  have  experienced  this 
love,  that  Thou,  Lord,  hast  not  forsaken  them  that 
seek  Thee:  therefore  Thy  face  evermore  will  I  seek. 
I  will  never  doubt  of  Thy  merciful  kindness;  but 
always  believe  that  Thou  art  gracious  and  full  of 
compassion,  just  and  true  in  all  Thy  wa3^8,  O  Thou 
King  of  saints.  Confirm  and  strengthen  these  holy 
purposes  in  me  by  the  assistance  of  Thy  good  Spirit, 
making  these  thoughts  more  strong,  more  lively,  and 
mightily  affecting  my  heart;  so  that  I  may  be  able 
to  say,  The  Lord  is  my  helper,  I  will  not  fear  what 
man  can  do  unto  me.  He  hath  not  spared  His  only 
Son,  but  delivered  Him  up  for  us  all:  how  shall  He 
not  with  Him  give  us  all  things?  I  will  bless  the 
Lord  at  all  times,  His  praise  shall  be  continually  in 
my  mouth;  my  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  the 
Lord,  and  I  will  rejoice  in  His  salvation. 

O  blessed  day,  when  we  shall  see  Jesus  again, 
and  feel  Him  changing  this  vile  bod}^,  and  making 
it  like  His  glorious  body,  by  the  power  whereby  He 
can  subdue  all  things  to  Himself !  O  happy  day, 
when  all  tears  shall  be  wiped  away  from  our  eyes, 
and  there  shall  be  no  sighing  nor  sorrow,  but  pres- 
ent satisfaction  and  joy  for  evermore!     Amen. 


JOHN  FLAVEL,  B.  A. 
1G27-1G91. 

Efficacy  of  the  Blood  of  the  Cross. 

HERE  is  sufficient  efficacy  in  the  blood 
of  the  Cross  to  expiate  and  wash  away 
the  greatest  sins.  This  is  manifest,  for  it  is 
precious  blood,  as  it  is  called,  1  Peter  i.  18. 
'Ye  were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible 
things,  as  silver  and  gold;  but  with  the  precious 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God.'  This  preciousness  of 
the  blood  of  Christ  riseth  from  the  union  it  hath 
with  that  Person,  who  is  over  all,  God  blessed  for 
ever. 

Before  the  efficacy  of  this  blood,  guilt  vanishes, 
and  shrinks  away  as  the  shadow  before  the  glorious 
sun.  Every  drop  of  it  hath  a  voice,  and  speaks  to 
the  soul  that  sits  trembling  under  its  guilt  better 
things  than  the  blood  of  Abel,  Heb.  x.  24.  It 
sprinkles  us  from  all  evil,  i.  e.  an  unquiet  and  ac- 
cusing conscience,  Heb.  x.  22.  For  having  enough 
in  it  to  satisfy  God,  it  must  needs  have  enough  in  it 
to  satisfy  conscience. 

Can  God  exact  satisfaction  from  the  blood  and 
death  of  His  own  Son,  the  surety  of  believers,  and 

yet  still  demand  it  from  believers?     It  cannot  be. 

10* 


226  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

'Who  (saitli  th^  apostle)  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the 
charge  of  God's  elect?  It  is  God  that  justiiieth. 
Who  shall  condemn?  It  is  Christ  that  died,'  Rom. 
viii.  33,  34.  And  why  are  faith  and  repentance 
prescribed  as  the  means  of  pardon?  Why  doth 
God  every  where  in  His  Word,  call  upon  sinners  to 
repent,  and  believe  in  this  blood?  encouraging  them 
so  to  do,  by  so  many  precious  promises  of  remission; 
and  declarino'  the  inevitable  and  eternal  ruin  of  all 
impenitent  and  unbelieving  ones,  who  despise  and 
reject  this  blood?  What,  I  sa}^,  doth  all  this  speak, 
but  the  possibility  of  a  pardon  for  the  greatest  of 
sinners;  and  the  certainty  of  a  free,  full,  and  final 
pardon  for  all  believing  sinners?  O  what  a  joyful 
sound  is  this!  What  ravishing  voices  of  peace,  par- 
don, grace,  and  acceptance,  come  to  our  ears  from 
the  blood  of  the  Cross? 

The  greatest  guilt  that  ever  was  contracted  upon 
a  trembling,  shaking  conscience,  can  stand  before 
the  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  Christ  no  more  than  the 
sinner  himself  can  stand  before  the  justice  of  the 
Lord,  with  all  that  guilt  upon  him. 

Reader,  the  word  assures  thee,  whatever  thou 
hast  been,  or  art,  that  sins  of  as  deep  a  dye  as 
thine,  have  been  washed  away  in  this  blood.  'I 
was  a  blasphemer,  a  persecutor,  injurious;  but  I 
obtained  mercy,'  saith  Paul.  1  Tim.  i.  13.  But  it 
may  be  thou  wilt  object;  this  was  a  rare  and  singu- 
lar instance,  and  it  is  a  great  question  whether  any 
other  sinner  shall  find  tlie  like  grace  that  he  did. 
No  question  of  it  at  all,  if  you  believe  in  Christ  as 


JOlIxN    FLAVEL.  227 

he  did;  for  he  tells  us,  ver.  16,  '^ov  this  cause  I 
obtained  mercy,  that  in  me  first  Jesus  Christ  might 
show  forth  all  long-suffering,  for  a  pattern  to  them 
which  should  hereafter  believe  on  Him  to  life  ever- 
lasting.' So  that  upon  the  same  grounds  he  ol)- 
tained  mercy,  you  may  obtain  it  also. 

Those  very  men  who  had  a  hand  in  the  shedding 
of  Christ's  blood,  had  the  benefit  of  that  blood  after- 
wards pardoning  them.  Acts  ii.  36.  There  is  no- 
thing l)ut  unbelief  and  impenitency  of  heart  can  bar 
thy  soul  from  the  blessings  of  this  blood. 

Fountain  of  Life. 

^  T3LESSED  are  they  which  hunger  and  thirst 
1  }  after  righteousness,  for  they  shall  be  filled.' 
They  shall  then  depend  no  more  upon  the  stream, 
but  drink  from  the  overflowing  fountain  itself. 
Psalm  xxxvi.  8:  'They  shall  be  abundantly  satisfied 
with  the  fatness  of  Thy  house,  and  Thou  shalt  make 
them  drink  of  the  river  of  Thy  pleasures:  for  with 
Thee  is  the  fountain  of  life,  and  in  Thy  light  shall 
we  see  light.'  There  they  shall  drink  and  praise, 
and  praise  and  drink  for  evermore;  all  their  thirsty 
desires  shall  be  filled  with  complete  satisfiiction.  O 
how  desiral^le  a  state  is  heaven  upon  this  account! 
and  how  should  we  be  restless  till  we  come  thither; 
as  the  thirsty  traveler  is  until  he  meet  that  cool, 
refreshing  spring  he  wants  and  seeks  for.  This 
present  state  is  a  state  of  thirsting,  that  to  come 
of  refreshment  and  satisfaction.  Some  drops  indeed 
come   from  the   fountain  by  faith,  but  they  quench 


228  DEVOTIONxlL    THOUGHTS. 

not  the  believer's  thirst;  rather  like  water  sprinkled 
on  the  fire,  they  make  it  burn  the  more:  but  there 
the  thirsty  soul  hath  enough. 

The  Study  of  Christ. 

THE  study  of  Jesus  Christ  is  the  most  noble  sub- 
ject that  ever  a  soul  spent  itself  upon;  those 
that  rack  and  torture  their  brains  upon  other  studies, 
like  children,  weary  themselves  at  a  low  game;  the 
eagle  plays  at  the  sun  itself.  The  angels  study  this 
doctrine,  and  stoop  down  to  look  into  this  deep 
abyss.  What  are  the  truths  discovered  in  Christ, 
but  the  very  secrets  that  from  eternity  lay  liid  in 
the  bosom  of  God?  Eph.  iii.  8,  9.  God's  heart  is 
opened  to  men  in  Christ,  John  i.  18;  this  makes  the 
Gospel  such  a  glorious  dispensation,  because  Christ 
is  so  gloriously  revealed  therein,  1  Cor.  iii.  9,  and 
the  studying  of  Christ  in  the  Gospel  stamps  such  a 
heavenly  glory  upon  the  contemplating  soul,  ver.  18. 
It  is  the  most  sweet  and  comfortable  knowledge; 
to  be  studying  Jesus  Christ,  what  is  it  but  to  be 
digging  among  all  the  veins  and  springs  of  comfort? 
and  the  deeper  you  dig,  the  more  do  these  springs 
flow  upon  you.  How  are  hearts  ravished  with  the 
discoveries  of  Christ  in  the  Gospel.  What  ecstacies, 
meltings,  transports,  do  gracious  souls  meet  there. 

Vision  of  God  in  Glory. 

^  TT  THEN  I  awake  I  shall  be  satisfied  with  Thy 

V  V    likeness.'      This  sight  of    God,   in  glory, 

called  the  beatifical  vision,  must  needs  yield  inefia- 


JOHN    FLAVEL.  229 

ble  satisftictioii  to  the  beholding  soul,  inasmuch  as 
it  will  be   an  intuitive  vision.     The  intellectual  or 
mental  eye  shall  see  God,  1  John  iii.  2.     The  cor- 
poreal, glorified  eye  shall  see  Christ,  Job  xix.  26, 
27.     What  a  ravishing  vision  will  this  be!  and  how 
much  will  it  exceed  all  reports  and  apprehensions 
we  had  here  of  it!     Surely  one  half  was  not  told 
us.    It  will  be  a  transformative  vision^  it  will  change 
the  beholder  into  its  own  image  and  likeness.     '  We 
shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is,' 
1  John  iii.  2.     It  will  be   an  ajppropriative  vision: 
'Whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,'  Job  xix.  26,  27.     In 
heaven,  interest  is  clear  and  undoubted;  fear  is  cast 
out:  no  need  of  marks  and  signs  there;  for  what  a 
man  sees  and  enjoys,  how  can  he  doubt  of?     It  will 
be  a  ravishing  vision;  these  we  have  by  faith  are  so, 
how  much  more  those   in  glory?     How  was  Paul 
transported,  when  he  was  in  a  visional   way    rapt 
up  into  the  third  heaven,  and  heard  the  unutterable 
things,  though  he  was  not  admitted  into  the  blessed 
society,  but  was  with  them,  as  the  angels  are  in  our 
assemblies,  a  stander-by,  a  looker-on.     It  will  be  a 
fully  satisfying   vision;  God  will   then   be  all  in 
all.     The  blessed  soul  will  feel  itself  blessed,  filled, 
satisfied  in  every  part.     Ah,  what  a  happiness  is 
here!    to    look   and   love,  to    drink  and   sing,  and 
drink  as-ain  at  the   fountain  head   of   the  hiofhcst 
glory! 


230  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Divine  Caee. 
•  A  LL  things  shall  work  together  for  good.'  From 
-XTjl.  what  quarter  soever  the  wmd  bloweth,  God 
will  take  care  that  it  shall  be  useful  to  drive  you  to 
your  port;  the  very  providences  that  cast  you  down, 
b}^  virtue  of  this  promise,  prove  as  serviceable  and 
beneficial  as  those  that  lift  you  up. 

The  care  of  God  stands  engaged  in  the  promise, 
for  the  help  and  aid  of  His  people  in  all  the  ex- 
tremities and  exigencies  of  their  lives,  Psalm  xlvi.  1. 
'God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help 
in  trouble.'  Never  is  the  care  of  God  more  visible 
and  conspicuous  than  in  such  times  of  need. 

The  care  of  God  is  engaged  to  carry  His  people 
safe  through  all  the  dangers  of  the  way,  and  bring 
them  all  home  to  glory  at  last,  John  x.  28.  '  I  give 
unto  them  eternal  life,  and  they  shall  never  perish, 
neither  shall  any  man  pluck  them  out  of  my  hand.' 
This  care  of  God,  thus  engaged  for  you,  is  your  con- 
voy to  accompany  and  secure  3^ou,  till  it  set  you  safe 
into  your  harbor  of  eternal  rest. 

You  have  heard  how  the  care  of  God  is  engaged 
for  you  by  promise;  now  see  how  jt  actuates  and 
exerts  itself  for  the  people  of  God  in  the  various 
methods  of  providence;  and  here,  O  here  is  the 
sweetest  pleasure  of  the  Christian  life,  a  delight  far 
transcending  all  the  delights  of  this  life.  Sit  down 
Christian  in  this  chambei*  also,  and  make  but  such 
observations  upon  the  care  of  thy  God  as  follow;  and 
then  tell  me  whether  the  world,  with  all  its  pleasures 


JOHN   FLAVEL.  231 

and  delights,  can  give  thee  such  another  entertain- 
ment. 

Keflect  upon  the  constant,  sweet  and  suitable  pro- 
visions, that  frora  time  to  time  have  been  prepared 
for  thee  and  thine,  by  this  care  of  thy  God;  for 
whensoever  thy  wants  did  come,  I  am  sure  from 
hence  came  thy  supplies,  it  hath  enabled  thee  to  re- 
turn the  same  answer  the  disciples  did  to  that  ques- 
tion, Luke  xxii.  35:  'Lacked  ye  any  thing?'  And 
they  said,  Nothing. 

Reflect  with  admiration  upon  the  various  difficul- 
ties of  your  lives,  wherein  your  thoughts  have  been 
entangled,  and  out  of  which  you  have  been  extricated 
and  delivered  by  the  care  of  God  over  you;  how 
oft  have  your  thoughts  been  like  a  raveled  skein 
of  silk,  so  entangled  and  perplexed  with  the  difficul- 
ties and  fears  before  you,  that  you  could  find  no  end, 
but  the  longer  you  thought,  the  more  you  were 
puzzled,  till  you  have  left  thinking  and  fell  to  pray- 
ing; and  there  you  have  found  the  right  end  to  wind 
up  all  your  thoughts  upon  the  bottom  of  peace  and 
sweet  contentment,  according  to  that  direction, 
Psalm  xxxvii.  5:  '  Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord, 
trust  also  in  Him,  and  He  shall  bring  it  to  pass.' 

Observe  with  a  melting  heart,  how  the  care  of  thy 
God  hath  disposed  and  directed  thy  way  to  unfore- 
seen advantages:  had  He  not  ordered  thy  steps  when, 
and  as  He  did,  thou  hadst  not  been  in  possession 
of  those  temporal  and  spiritual  mercies  that  sweeten 
thy  life  at  this  day.  Surely  the  steps  of  good  men 
are  ordered  by  the  Lord:  and  as  for  thee.  Christian. 


232  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

what  reason  hast  thou,  with  an  heart  overflowing 
with  love  and  thankfulness,  to  look  up  and  say,  my 
Father^  thou  art  the  guide  of  my  youth? 

It  is  sweet  to  live  by  faith  upon  Divine  care.  O 
what  a  serene  life  might  we  live,  careful  for  nothing, 
but  making  known  our  requests  unto  God  in  every 
thing,  Phil.  iv.  6,  casting  all  our  care  on  Him  that 
careth  for  us,  1  Pet.  v.  7,  perplexing  our  thoughts 
about  nothing,  l)ut  rolling  every  burden  upon  God 
by  faith! 

Faith  in  God's  llNCHi^^GEABLENESS. 

LIVE  by  faith  upon  God's  unchangeableness  under 
the  greatest  changes  of  your  own  condition  in 
this  world.  Providence  may  make  great  altera- 
tions upon  all  your  outward  comforts:  it  may  cast 
you  down,  how  dear  soever  you  be  to  God,  from 
riches  into  poverty,  from  health  into  sickness,  from 
honor  into  reproach,  from  liberty  into  bondage.  Yet 
still  it  is  your  duty,  and  will  be  your  great  privilege 
in  the  midst  of  all  these  changes,  to  act  your  faith 
upon  the  never-changing  God,  as  that  holy  man  did, 
Hab.  iii.  17,  '  Although  the  fig  tree  shall  not  blossom, 
neither  fruit  be  in  the  vine;  the  labor  of  the  olive 
shall  fail;  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat;  the 
flocks  shall  be  cut  oft'  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall 
be  no  herd  in  the  stall;  yet  will  I  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation.' 

Live  upon  the  unchangeableness  of  God  under  the 
greatest  and  saddest  changes  of  your  spiritual  con- 
dition; God  may  cloud  the  light  of  His  countenance 


JOHN    FLAVEL.  233 

over  thy  soul,  He  may  fill  thee  with  fears  and 
troubles,  and  the  Comforter  that  should  relieve  thee 
may  seem  to  be  far  off;  yet  still  maintain  thy  faith 
in  the  unchangeableness  of  His  love;  trust  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  stay  thyself  upon  thy  God,  when 
thou  walkest  in  darkness  and  hast  no  light,  Isa.  1.  10. 

WxiLKiNG  WITH  God; 

O  SWEET  and  pleasant  walk!  all  pleasures,  all 
joys  are  in  that  walk  with  God.  '  Blessed  are 
the  people  that  hear  the  joyful  sound;  they  shall 
walk,  O  Lord,  in  the  light  of  Thy  countenance,' 
Psalm  Ixxxix.  15.  The  joyful  sound  there  spoken 
of  was  the  sound  of  the  trumpet,  which  called  the 
people  to  the  solemn  assemblies,  where  they  walked 
in  the  light  of  God's  countenance,  the  sweet  mani- 
festations of  His  favor;  and  because  the  world  is  so 
apt  to  suspect  the  reality  and  certainty  of  this  doc- 
trine, the  apostle  again  asserts  it,  Phil.  iii.  20,  'Truly 
our  conversation  is  in  heaven.'  We  breathe  below, 
but  we  live  above;  w^e  walk  on  earth,  but  our  con- 
versation is  in  heaven. 

Rest  in  God. 

WHEN  we  attain  perfect  communion  with  God 
in  heaven,  we  attain  to  perfect  rest,  and  all 
the  rest  the  spirit  of  man  finds  on  earth,  is  found  in 
communion  with  God.  Take  a  sanctified  person, 
Avho  hath  intermitted  for  some  time  his  communion 
with  the  Lord,  and  ask  him.  Is  your  soul  at  rest  and 
ease?     He  will  tell  you,  no!     The  motions  of  his  soul 


234  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

are  like  those  of  a  member  out  of  joint,  neither  come- 
ly nor  easy.  Let  that  man  recover  his  spiritual  frame 
again,  and,  with  it,  he  recovers  his  rest  and  comfort. 
Christians,  you  meet  with  variety  of  troubles  in  this 
world;  many  a  sweet  comfort  is  cut  off,  many  a  hope- 
fnl  project  dashed  by  the  hand  of  providence;  and 
what  think  you  is  the  meaning  of  those  blasting,  dis- 
appointing providences?  Surely  this  is  their  design 
and  errand,  to  disturb  your  false  rest  in  the  bosom 
of  the  creature;  to  pluck  away  those  pillows  you 
were  laying  your  heads  upon,  that  thereby  you  might 
be  reduced  unto  God,  and  recover  your  lost  com- 
munion with  Him;  and  say,  Avith  David,  'Return 
imto  thy  rest,  O  my  souL'  Sometimes  we  are  set- 
tling ourselves  to  rest  in  an  estate,  in  a  child,  or  the 
like;  at  this  time  it  is  usual  for  God  to  say,  go,  losses, 
smite  and  blast  such  a  man's  estate;  go,  death,  and 
take  away  the  desire  of  his  eyes  witli  a  stroke,  that 
my  child  may  find  rest  no  where  but  in  me.  God  is 
the  ark;  the  soul,  like  the  dove  Noah  sent  forth,  let 
it  fly  where  it  will,  it  shall  find  no  rest  till  it  come 
back  to  God. 

Communion  with  God. 

IT  is  the  desire  of  all  gracious  souls  throughout  the 
world.  Wherever  there  is  a  gracious  soul,  the 
desires  of  that  soul  are  working  after  communion 
with  God.  As  Christ  was  called,  The  desire  of  all 
nations^  so  communion  with  Him  is  the  desire  of  all 
nations:  and  this  speaks  the  excellency  of  it.  Psalm 
xxvii.  4:   '  One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that 


JOHN    FLAVEL.  235 

will  I  seek  after;  that  I  might  dwell  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to  see  the  beauty 
of  the  Lord,  and  to  enquire  in  His  temple;'  i.  e.  to 
enjoy  communion  with  Him  in  the  public  duties  of 
His  w^orship.  One  thing  have  I  desired^  that  is,  one 
thing  above  all  other  things;  such  a  one,  as,  if  God 
shall  give  me,  I  can  comfortal^ly  bear  the  want  of  all 
other  things.  Let  Him  deny  me  what  He  will,  if  so 
be  He  will  not  deny  me  this  one  thing;  this  one 
thing  shall  richly  recompense  the  want  of  all  other 
things.  Hence  the  desires  of  the  saints  are  so  in- 
tense and  fervent  after  this  one  thins:;  Psalm  xlii.  1: 
'My  soul  panteth  after  Thee,  O  God; '.and  Psalm 
cxix.  81:  '  My  soul  fainteth  for  Thy  salvation.'  Psalm 
ci.  2:  'When  wilt  Thou  come  unto  me?'  No  duties 
can  satisfy  without  it;  the  soul  cannot  bear  the  de- 
laj^s,  much  less  the  denials  of  it.  They  reckon  their 
lives  worth  nothing  without  it.  Ministers  may  come, 
ordinances  and  Sabbaths  may  come;  but  there  is  no 
satisfaction  to  the  desires  of  a  gracious  heart,  till 
God  comes  too;   O  when  wilt  Thou  come  unto  mef 

Christ's  Love  Manifested  from  the  Cross. 
rj^HE  transcendent  love  of  Christ  shines  out  in  its 
JL  full  strength  upon  the  souls  of  sinners  from  the 
Cross;  and  there  is  nothing  like  love  to  draw  love. 
When  Christ  was  lifted  up  upon  the  Cross,  He  gave 
such  a  glorious  demonstration  of  the  strength  of  His 
love  to  sinners,  as  one  would  think  should  draw  love 
from  the  hardest  heart  that  ever  lodo^ed  in  a  sinner's 
breast.     'Herein  is  love,'  saith  the  apostle,  'not that 


'2dQ  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

we  loved  Gocl,  but  that  He  loved  ns,  aud  sent  His 
Son  to  be  a  propitiation  for  our  sins/  1  John  iv.  10 
q.  d.  Here  is  the  triumph,  the  riches  and  glory  of 
Divine  love;  never  was  such  love  manifested  in  the 
world.  There  is  much  of  God's  love  in  temporal 
providences,  but  all  is  nothing  to  this;  this  is  love 
in  its  highest  elevation;  love  in  its  meridian  glory; 
before  it  was  none  like  it,  and  after  it  shall  none 
appear  like  unto  it. 

Fkee  Grace. 

THE  willingness  of  Christ  to  receive  the  willing 
soul,  how  many  and  great  soever  its  sins  and 
unworthiness  be,. appears  from  the  actual  grants  of 
pardon  and  mercy,  even  to  the  vilest  sinners  tha,t 
ever  were  upon  the  earth,  when  they  thus  came  unto 
Him.  Here  you  see  how  the  waters  of  free-grace 
rise  higher  and  higher.  An  invitation  is  much;  a 
promise  of  welcome  is  more:  but  the  actual  grant 
of  mercy  is  most  satisfying  of  all.  Come  on,  poor 
trembling  soul,  do  not  be  discouraged,  stretch  out 
the  small,  weak  arms  of  thy  faith  to  that  great  and 
gracious  Redeemer;  open  thy  heart  wide  to  receive 
Him;  He  will  not  refuse  to  come  in.  He  hath  sealed 
thousands  of  pardons  to  as  vile  wretches  as  thyself; 
He  never  yet  shut  the  door  of  mercy  upon  a  willing, 
hunorerino^  soul. 


1 


john  flavel.  237 

Grace  of  God. 
T  is  siiperabounding  grace.  Waters  do  not  so 
abound  in  the  ocean,  nor  light  in  the  sun,  as 
grace  and  compassion  do  in  the  bowels  of  God 
towards  broken-hearted  and  hungry  sinners,  Isa.  Iv. 
6:  'Let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  He  will  have 
mercy  upon  him;  and  to  our  God,  for  He  will  abund- 
antly pardon.'  The  compassions  of  our  God  insert- 
ed that  word  on  purpose  to  relieve  poor  souls  faint- 
ing under  the  sense  of  their  abounding  iniquities. 
Here  is  abundant  pardon  for  abounding  guilt;  and 
yet,  lest  a  desponding  sinner  should  not  find  enough 
here  to  quiet  his  fears,  the  Lord  goes  yet  farther  in 
the  expression  of  His  grace,  Rom.  v.  20:  '  Where  sin 
abounded,  grace  did  much  more  abound.'  It  over- 
flowed all  the  bounds,  it  rose  quite  above  the  high- 
water  mark  of  sin  and  guilt:  but  these  overflowings 
of  grace  run  only  through  that  channel  of  all  grace, 
Jesus  Christ,  to  broken-hearted  and  obedient  sinners. 

Pardon  for  the  most  Heinous  Sins. 

THERE  is  a  sacrifice  laid  out  and  appointed  for 
these  sins.  O  bless  God  for  that!  they  are  no 
where  excepted  from  the  possibility  of  forgiveness. 
Nothing  but  the  impenitency  of  thy  heart,  and  ob- 
stinacy of  thy  will,  can  bar  thee  from  a  full  and 
final  pardon.  Jesus  Christ  can  save  thee  to  the 
uttermost.  Say  not  within  thyself,  can  the  virtue 
of  His  blood  extend  itself  to  the  remission  of  this  or 
that  sin?  He  can  save  to  the  uttermost.  Look  round 
about  thee  to  the  uttermost  horizon  of  all  thy  guilt, 


238  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  Christ  can  save  thee  to  the  uttermost  that  the 
eye  of  thy  conscience  can  discern,  yea,  and  beyond 
it  too;  but  then  thou  must  come  unto  Him.  You 
speak  of  the  greatness  of  sin,  and  you  have  cause  to 
have  sad  thoughts  about  it;  but,  in  the  mean  time, 
you  consider  not,  that  your  unbelief,  by  which  you 
stand  off  from  Christ,  your  only  remedy,  is  certainly 
the  greatest  of  all  the  sins  that  ever  you  stood  guilty 
of  against  the  Lord.  This  is  the  sin  that  binds  the 
guilt  of  all  your  other  sins  upon  you. 

Peace  to  the  SctuL. 

FAITH  is  not  only  the  messenger  that  brings  you 
a  pardon  from  heaven;  but  it  is,  as  I  may  say. 
that  heavenly  herald  that  publishes  peace  in  the  soul 
of  a  sinner.  O peace,  how  sweet  a  word  art  thou! 
how  welcome  to  a  poor  condemned  sinner!  '  Beau- 
tifnl  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet  of  them  that 
publish  peace.'  Now  it  is  faith  that  brings  this 
blessed  news  and  publishes  it  in  the  soul,  Avithout 
which  all  the  publishers  of  peace  without  us,  can 
administer  but  little  support,  Rom.  v...  1.  Faith 
l)rings  the  soul  out  of  the  storms  and  tempests  with 
which  it  was  tossed,  into  a  sweet  rest  and  calm,  Heb. 
iv.  3:  'We  which  have  believed  do  enter  into  rest.' 
Is  the  quiet  harbor  welcome  to  poor  weather-beaten 
seamen,  after  they  have  past  furious  storms  and  many 
fears  upon  the  raging  sea?  O  how  welcome  then 
must  peace  be  to  that  soul  that  hath  been  tossed  upon 
the  tempestuous  ocean  of  its  own  fears  and  terrors, 
bU)wn  up  and  incensed  by  the  terrible  blasts  of  the 


JOHN    FIAVEL.  239 

law  and  conscience?  It  was  a  comfortable  sight  to 
Noah  and  his  famil}' ,  to  see  an  olive-leaf  in  the  mouth 
of  the  dove,  by  which  they  knew  the  waters  were 
abated.  But,  oh  !  what  is  it  to  hear  such  a  voice  as 
this  from  the  mouth  of  faith,  Fury  is  not  in  me,  saith 
the  Lord;  His  anger  is  turned  away,  and  He  com- 
forteth  thee?  Fear  not  thou  poor  tempest-tossed 
soul,  the  God  of  peace  is  thy  God. 

Joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

THIS  is  somewdiat  beyond  peace;  it  is  the  very 
quintessence  and  spirit  of  all  consolation.  The 
kingdom  of  God  is  said  to  consist  in  it,  Rom.  xiv. 
17;  it  is  somewhat  near  to  the  joy  of  the  glorified,  1 
Pet.  i.  8;  it  is  heaven  upon  earth.  All  believers  do 
not  immediately  attain  it,  but  one  time  or  other  God 
usually  gives  them  a  taste  of  it;  and  Avhen  He  doth, 
it  is  as  it  were  a  short  salvation.  O,  who  can  tell 
what  that  is  which  the  apostle  calls,  '  The  shedding 
al)road  of  the  love  of  God  in  the  heart,  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  which  is  given  to  us!'  Rom.  v.  5.  It  is  a 
joy  that  wants  an  epithet  to  express  the  sweetness 
of  it,  1  Pet.  i.  8.  'Joy  unspeakable  and  fall  of 
glory.'  It  hath  the  very  scent  and  taste  of  heaven 
in  it,  and  there  is  but  a  gradual  difference  betwixt 
it  and  the  joy  of  heaven.  This  joy  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  is  a  spiritual  cheerfulness  streaming  through 
the  soul  of  a  believer  upon  the  Spirit's  testimony, 
which  clears  his  interest  in  Christ  and  glory.  No 
sooner  doth  the  Spirit  shed  forth  the  love  of  God 
into  the  believer's  heart,  ])ut  it  streams  and  overflows 


240  DEVOTION'AL    THOUGHTS. 

with  joy.  Joy  is  no  more  under  that  soul's  com- 
mand. And  this  will  evidently  appear,  if  you  con- 
sider  the  matter  of  it;  it  arises  from  the  light  of 
God's  countenance,  Psalm  iv.  6,  7,  the  heavenly  glory, 
1  Pet.  i.  8.  '  Whom  having  not  seen  we  love,'  &c. 
The  soul  is  transported  with  joy,  ravished  with  the 
glory  and  excellency  of  Christ.  Didst  thou  ever  see 
this  Christ  whom  thy  soul  is  so  ravished  with?  No, 
r  have  not  seen  Him;  yt;t  my  soul  is  transported  with 
so  much  love  to  Him,  whom  having  not  seen  ive  love. 
But  if  thou  never  sawest  Him,  how  comes  thy  soul 
to  be  so  delighted  and  ravished  with  Him?  why, 
though  I  never  saw  Him  by  the  qjq  of  sense,  yet  I 
do  see  Him  by  the  eye  of  faith;  and  by  that  sight 
my  soul  is  flooded  with  spiritual  joy.  Believing  ice 
rejoice.  But  what  manner  of  joy  is  that  which  you 
taste?  why,  no  tongue  can  express  that,  j^or  it  is  joy 
unsjpeahahle.  But  how  are  Christ  and  heaven  turned 
into  such  ravishing  joys  to  the  soul?  why,  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  gives  the  believing  soul  not  only  a  sight 
to  discern  the  transcendent  excellency  of  these  spirit- 
ual objects,  but  a  sight  of  his  interest  in  .them  also. 
Tliis  is  my  Christ,  and  this  the  glory  prepared  for 
me.  Without  interest,  heaven  itself  cannot  be  turned 
unto  joy,  '  My  soul  rejoices  in  God  my  Saviour,' 
Luke  i.  47. 

This  joy  of  the  Lord  shall  be  your  strength,  Neh. 
viii.  10.  Let  God  but  give  a  person  a  little  of  this 
joy  into  his  heart,  and  he  shall  presently  feel  him- 
self strengthened  by  it,  either  to  do  or  to  suffer  the 
will  of  God.     Now  he  can  pray  with  enlargement. 


JOHN   FLAVEL.  241 

hear  with  comfort,  meditate  with  delight:  and  if  God 
call  him  to  suffer,  this  joy  shall  strengthen  him  to 
bear  it.  This  was  it  that  made  the  martyrs  go  sing- 
in  2^  to  the  stake.  This  therefore  transcends  all  the 
joys  of  this  lower  world. 

Foretastes  of  Heaven. 

BELIEVERS  have  a  double  pledge,  or  earnest 
for  heaven,  one  in  the  person  of  Christ,  who  is 
entered  into  that  glory  for  them,  John  xiv.  2,  3,  the 
other  in  the  joys  and  comforts  of  the  Spirit,  which 
they  feel,  and  taste  in  themselves.  These  are  two 
great  securities,  and  the  designs  of  God  in  giving  us 
these  earnests  and  foretastes  of  heaven,  are  not  onlv 
to  settle  our  minds  but  to  whet  our  industry,  that 
we  may  long  the  more  earnestly,  and  labor  the  more 
diligently  for  the  full  possession.  The  Lord  sees 
how  apt  we  are  to  flag  in  the  pursuit  of  heavenly 
glory,  and  therefore  gives  His  people  a  taste,  an 
earnest  of  it,  to  excite  their  diligence  in  the  pursuits 
of  it. 

As  the  visions  of  God  are  begun  on  earth,  so  the 
heavenly  delights  are  begun  here  also.  Some  drops 
of  that  delight,  are  let  fall  here,  Psalm  xciv.  19.  'Li 
the  multitude  of  the  thoughts  I  had  within  me,  Th}^ 
comforts  delight  my  soul.'  David's  heart,  it  is  likely, 
had  been  full  of  sorrow  and  trouble;  a  sea  of  gall 
and  wormwood  had  overflowed  his  soul:  God  lets 
fall  but  a  drop  or  two  of  heavenly  delight,  and  all 
is  turned  into  sweetness  and  comfort.     Is  there  not 

something  here  of  that  transformation  of  the  soul 

11 


242  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

into  the  image  of  God,  which  is  complete  in  heaven', 
and  a  special  part  of  the  glory  thereof?  It  is  said  in 
1  John  iii.  2:  'We  shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall 
see  Him  as  he  is.'  This  is  heaven,  this  is  glory,  to 
have  the  soul  moulded  into  full  conformity  with 
God:  something  thereof  is  experienced  in  this  world: 
O  that  we  had  more!  2  Cor.  iii.  18:  'But  we  all 
with  open  face,  beholding  as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of 
the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image,  from 
glory  to  glory,  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.'  Is 
there-  not  somethino;  felt  here  of  the  ravishino-  sweet- 
ness  of  God's  presence  in  ordinances  and  duties, 
which  is  a  faint  shadow,  at  least,  of  the  joys  of  His 
glorious  presence  in  heaven?  There  is  certainly  a 
felt  presence  of  God,  a  sensible  nearness  unto  God 
at  sometimes  and  in  some  duties  of  religion,  wherein 
His  name  is  as  ointment  poured  forth.  Cant.  i.  3, 
something  that  is  felt  beyond  and  above  all  the  com- 
forts of  this  world.  In  a  word,  the  jo3's  of  heaven 
are  unspeakable  joj^s,  no  words  can  make  known  to 
others  what  they  are.  When  Paul  was  caught  up 
into  paradise  he  heard  unspeakable  worxis,  2  Cor. 
xii.  4,  and  are  there  not  times,  even  in  this  life, 
wherein  the  saints  do  feel  that  which  no  w^ords  can 
express?     1  Pet.  i.  8,  Rev.  ii.  17. 

If  a  relish,  a  taste  of  heaven,  in  the  earnest  there- 
of, be  so  transporting  and  ravishing,  what  then  is 
the  full  fruition  of  God !  If  these  be  unutterable, 
what  must  that  be!  Give  me  leave  to  say,  whatever 
the  comforts  and  joys  of  any  believer  in  this  world 


JOHN   FLAVEL.  243 

may  be,  yet  heaven  will  be  a  surprise  to  him  when 
he  comes  thither. 

The  Longing  Soul's  Keflection. 

I  HAVE  waited  for  Thy  salvation,  O  God!  Hav- 
ing received  Thy  first  fruits,  my  soul  longs  to  fill 
its  bosom  with  the  full  ripe  sheaves  of  glory:  'As 
the  hart  panteth  for  the  water  brooks,  so  panteth  my 
soul  for  Thee,  O  God!  O  when  shall  I  come  and 
appear  before  God!'  I  desire  to  be  dissolved  and  to 
be  with  Christ!  When  shall  I  see  that  most  lovely 
face?  When  shall  I  hear  His  soul-transporting  voice! 
Some  need  patience  to  die:  I  need  it  as  much  to 
live.  Thy  sights,  O  God,  by  faith,  have  made  this 
world  a  burden,  this  body  a  burden,  and  this  soul 
to  cry,  like  thirsty  David,  '  O  that  one  would  give 
me  of  the  waters  of  Bethlehem  to  drink!'  The  hus- 
bandman longs  for  his  harvest,  because  it  is  the  re- 
ward of  all  his  toil  and  labor.  But  what  is  his  har- 
vest to  mine?  What  is  a  little  corn  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  God?  What  is  the  joy  of  harvest  to  the 
joy  of  heaven?  What  are  the  shoutings  of  men  in 
the  fields  to  the  acclamations  of  glorified  spirits  in 
the  kingdom  of  God?  Lord,  I  have  gone  forth  bear- 
ing more  precious  seed  than  they;  when  shall  I  re- 
turn rejoicing,  bringing  my  sheaves  with  me?  Their 
harvest  comes  when  they  receive  their  corn;  mine 
comes  when  I  leave  it.  O  much  desired!  O  day  of 
gladness  of  my  heart!  How  long.  Lord!  how  long! 
Here  I  wait  as  the  poor  man  at  Bethesda's  pool,  look- 
ing when  my  turn  will  come,  but  every  one  steps 


244  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

into  heaven  before  me;  3^et  Lord,  I  am  content  to 
wait  till  my  time  is  fully  come:  I  would  be  content 
to  stay  for  my  glorification  till  I  have  finished  the 
work  of  my  generation;  and  when  I  have  done  the 
will  of  God,  then  to  receive  the  promise.  If  Thou 
have  any  work  on  earth  to  use  me  in,  I  am  content 
to  abide:  behold,  the  husbandman  waiteth,  and  so 
will  I;  for  Thou  art  a  God  of  judgment;  and  blessed 
are  all  they  that  wait  for  Thee. 

Eeflection  of  a  Gkowing  Christi^vn. 

CHEER  thyself,  O  my  soul!  with  the  heart- 
strengthening  bread  of  this  Divine  meditation. 
Let  faith  turn  every  drop  of  this  truth  into  a  soul- 
reviving  cordial.  God  hath  sown  the  precious  seed 
of  grace  upon  my  soul;  and  though  my  heart  hath 
been  an  unkindly  soil,  which  hath  kept  it  back,  and 
much  hindered  its  growth,  yet,  blessed  be  the  Lord, 
it  still  grows  on,  though  by  slow  degrees;  and  from 
the  springing  of  the  seed,  and  shooting  forth  of  those 
gracious  habits,  I  may  conclude  an  approaching  har- 
vest: Now^  is  my  salvation  nearer  than  w:hen  I  be- 
lieved; every  day  I  come  nearer  to  my  salvation, 
Rom.  xiii.  11.  O  that  every  day  I  were  more  active 
for  the  God  of  my  salvation!  Grow  on,  my  soul, 
and  add  to  thy  faith  virtue,  to  thy  virtue  knowledge, 
<fec.  Grow  on  from  faith  to  faith;  keep  thyself 
under  the  ripening  influences  of  heavenly  ordinances: 
The  faster  thou  growest  in  grace,  the  sooner  thou 
shalt  be  reaped  down  in  mercy,  and  bound  up  in  the 
bundle  of  life,  1  Sam.  xv.  29.     I  have  not  yet  attain- 


JOHN   FLAVEL.  245 

ed  the  measure  and  proportion  of  grace  assigned  to 
me,  neither  am  I  already  perfect,  but  am  reaching 
forth  to  the  things  before  me,  and  pressing  towards 
the  mark  for  the  prize  of  my  heavenly  calling,  Phil, 
iii.  12,  13. 

Lost  and  Found. 

OMY  soul!  for  ever  bless  and  admire  the  love 
of  Jesus  Christ,  who  came  from  heaven  to  seek 
and  save  such  a  lost  soul  as  I  was.  Lord,  how  mar- 
velous! how  matchless  is  Thy  love!  I  was  lost,  and 
am  found:  I  am  found,  and  did  not  seek;  nay,  I  am 
found  by  Him  from  whom  I  fled.  Thy  love,  O  my 
Saviour,  was  a  preventing  love,  a  wonderful  love; 
Thou  lovedst  me  much  more  than  I  loved  myself;  I 
was  cruel  to  my  own  soul,  but  Thou  wast  kind;  Thou 
soughtest  for  me  a  lost  sinner,  and  not  for  lost  angels; 
Thy  hand  of  grace  caught  hold  of  me,  and  hath  let 
go  thousands  and  ten  thousands  as  good  as  myself 
by  nature;  like  another  David,  Thou  didst  rescue 
my  poor  lost  soul  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  destroyer; 
yea,  more  than  so,  Thou  didst  lose  Thine  own  life  to 
find  mine:  and  now,  dear  Jesus,  since  I  am  thus 
marvelously  recovered,  shall  I  ever  straggle  again 
from  Thee?  O  let  it  forever  be  a  warning  to  me, 
how  I  turn  aside  into  the  by-paths  of  sin  any  more. 

The  Ocean  of  Divine  Mercy. 

IN  the  vastness  of  the  ocean,  Ave  have  also  a  lively 
emblem  of  eternitj^     Who  can  comprehend  or 
measure  the  ocean,  but  God?     And  who  can  compre- 


246  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

hencl  eternity  but  He  that  is  said  to  inhabit  it?  Isa. 
Ivii.  5.  Though  shallow  rivers  may  be  drained  and 
dried  up,  yet  the  ocean  cannot.  And  though  these 
transitory  days,  months,  and  years  will  at  last  expire; 
yet  eternity  shall  not.  O!  it  is  a  long  word!  and 
amazing  matter!  what  is  eternity  but  a  constant  per- 
manency of  persons  and  things,  in  one  and  the  same 
state  and  condition  forever;  putting  them  beyond 
all  possibility  of  change? 

And  is  the  mercy  of  God  like  the  great  deep,  an 
ocean  that  none  can  fathom?  What  unspeakable 
comfort  is  this  to  me?  may  the  pardoned  soul  say. 
Did  Israel  sing  a  song  when  the  Lord  had  overwhelm- 
ed their  corporeal  enemies  in  the  seas?  And  shall 
not  I  break  forth  into  His  praises,  who  hath  drowned 
all  my  sins  in  the  depth  of  mercy?  O  my  soul,  bless 
thou  the  Lord,  and  let  His  high  praises  ever  be  in 
thy  mouth.  Mayest  thou  not  say,  that  He  hath  gone 
to  as  high  an  extent  and  degree  of  mercy  in  pardon- 
ing thee  as  ever  He  did  in  any?  O  my  God,  who  is 
like  unto  Thee!  that  pardoneth  iniquity,  transgression 
and  sin.  "What  mercy,  but  the  mercy  of  a  God, 
could  cover  such  abomination  as  mine? 

Joy  of  the  Redeemed. 

OWHAT  a  transcendent  joy,  yea,  ravishing,  will 
over-run  the  hearts  of  saints,  when,  after  so 
many  conflicts,  temptations,  and  afflictions,  they  ar- 
rive in  glory  and  are  harbored  in  heaven,  where  they 
shall  rest  for  ever!  2  Thess.  i.  7.  The  Scripture 
saith,  '  They  shall  sing  the  song  of  Moses  and  of  the 


JOHN    FLAVEL.  247 

Lamb/  Rev.  xv.  3.  The  song  of  Moses  was  a 
triumphant  song  composed  for  the  celebration  of 
that  glorious  deliverance  at  the  Red  sea.  The  saints 
are  now  fluctuating  upon  a  troublesome  and  tempest- 
uous sea;  their  hearts  sometimes  ready  to  sink,  and 
die  within  them  at  the  apprehension  of  so  many  and 
great  dangers  and  difficulties.  Many  a  hard  storm 
they  ride  out,  and  many  straits  and  troubles  they 
here  encounter  with,  but  at  last  they  arrive  at  their 
desired  and  long-expected  haven,  and  then  heaven 
rings  and  resounds  with  their  joyful  acclamations. 
And  how  can  it  be  otherwise,  when  as  soon  as  ever 
they  set  foot  upon  that  glorious  shore,  Christ  Him- 
self meets  and  receives  them  with  a  '  Come, ye  bless- 
ed of  my  Father,'  Matth.  xxv.  34. 

Assurance. 

IT  is  the  very  riches  of  fiiith,  the  most  pleasant 
fruit  which  grows  upon  the  top  branches  of  faith. 
The  Scripture  tells  us  of  an  assurance  of  understand- 
ing, hope  and  faith.  All  these  graces  are  precious 
in  themselves;  but  the  assurance  of  each  of  them 
is  the  most  sweet  and  pleasant  part.  Knowledge 
above  knowledge,  is  the  full  assurance  of  knowledge: 
hope  above  hope,  is  the  full  assurance  of  hope:  and 
faith  above  faith,  is  the  full  assurance  of  faith.  The 
least  and  lowest  act  of  saving  faith  is  precious,  and 
above  all  value;  what  then  must  the  highest  and 
most  excellent  acts  of  faith  be?  Certainly  there  is  a 
sweetness  in  the  assurance  of  faith,  that  few  men 
have  the  privilege  to  taste:  and  they   that   do,  can 


248  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

find  no  words  able  to  express  it  to  another's  under- 
standino^.  The  weakest  Christian  is  exalted  above 
all  other  men;  but  .the  assured  Christian  hath  a 
preference  before  all  other  Christians. 

It  is  heart's  ease;  the  very  sabbath  and  sweet  re- 
pose of  the  soul.  Thousands  of  poor  Christians 
would  part  with  all  they  possess  in  this  world  to 
enjoy  it;  but  it  flies  from  them.  The  life  that  most 
of  them  live,  is  a  life  betwixt  hopes  and  fears;  their 
interest  in  Christ  is  very  doubtful  to  them.  Some- 
times they  are  encouraged,  from  sensible  workings 
of  grace;  then  all  is  dashed  again  b}^  the  contrary 
stirrings  and  workings  of  their  own  corruptions. 
Now  the  sun  shines  out  clear,  by  and  by  the  heavens 
are  overcast  and  clouded  ao-ain:  but  the  assured 
Christian  is  at  rest.  He  can  take  Christ  into  the 
arms  of  faith,  and  say,  '  My  Beloved  is  mine,  and  I 
am  His.  Return  to  thy  rest,  O  my  soul,  for  the 
Lord  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  thee!' 

It  is  the  pleasure  of  life;  yea,  the  most  rational, 
pure,  and  transporting  pleasure.  What  is  life  with- 
out pleasure?  And  what  pleasure  is  th^re  in  the 
world,  comparable  to  this  pleasure? 

Constancy  of  Christ's  Love. 

THE  constancy  of  Christ's  love  to  His  people 
passeth  knowledge:  No  length  of  time,  no  dis- 
tance of  place,  no  change  of  condition,  either  with 
Him  or  us,  can  possibl}^  make  any  alteration  of  His 
afiections  towards  us:  'He  is  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  for  ever,'  Heb.  xiii.  8.     It  is  noted  also 


JOHN   FLAVEL.  249 

by  the  evangelist,  John  xiii.  1 :  '  That  havhig  loved 
His  own  which  were  in  the  world.  He  loved  them  to 
the  end.'  It  is  true  His  condition  is  altered;  He  is 
no  more  in  this  world  conversing  with  His  people, 
as  He  did  once  in  the  days  of  His  flesh:  He  is  now 
at  the  right-hand  of  God,  in  the  highest  glory;  but 
yet  His  heart  is  the  same  that  ever  it  was,  for  love 
and  tenderness  to  His  people.  Our  conditions  also 
are  often  altered  in  this  world;  but  His  love  suiFers 
no  alteration.  Yea,  which  is  much  more  admirable, 
we  do  many  things  daily  that  grieve  Him  and  offend 
Him;  yet  He  takes  not  away  His  loving-kindness 
from  us,  nor  suffers  His  faithfulness  to  fail.  We 
pour  out  so  much  cold  Avater  of  unkindness  and  pro- 
vocation, as  is  enough  to  cool  and  quench  any  love 
in  the  world,  except  His  love;  but  notwithstanding 
all,  He  continues  unchano-eable  in  love  to  us. 


Maturity  of  Grace. 

WHEN  the  corn  is  near  ripe,  it  bows  the  head 
and  stoops  lower  than  when  it  was  green. 
When  the  people  of  God  are  near  ripe  for  heaven, 
they  grow  more  humble  and  self-denying  than  in  the 
days  of  their  first  profession.  The  longer  a  saint 
grows  in  this  world,  the  better  he  is  still  acquainted 
with  his  own  heart  and  his  obligations  to  God;  both 
which  are  very  humbling  things.  Paul  had  one  foot 
in  heaven  when  he  called  himself  the  chief  est  of  sin- 
ners, and  least  of  saints,  1  Tim.  i.   15;  Eph.  iii.  8. 

A  Christian,  in  the  progress  of  his  knowledge  and 

j1* 


250  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

grace,  is  like  a  vessel  cast  into  the  sea;  the  more  it 
fills  the  deeper  it  sinks. 


End  of  the  Christian's  Trials. 

THE  time  is  coming,  when  thy  heart  shall  he  as 
thon  wouldst  have  it;  when  thou  shalt  be  dis- 
charged of  all  these  cares,  fears,  and  sorrows,  and 
never  cry  out,  O  my  hard,  my  proud,  my  vain,  my 
earthly  heart,  any  more!  When  all  darkness  shall  be 
vanished  from  thine  understanding;  and  thou  shalt 
clearly  discover  all  truths  in  God,  that  crystal  ocean 
of  truth:  When  all  vanity  shall  be  purged  perfectly 
out  of  thy  thoughts,  and  they  be  everlastingly,  ravish- 
ingly  and  delightfully  entertained  and  exercised  upon 
that  supreme  goodness,  and  infinite  excellency  of 
God,  from  whom  they  shall  never  start  any  more 
like  a  broken  bow.  And  as  for  thy  pride,  passion, 
earthliness,  and  all  other  matters  of  thy  complaint 
and  trouble,  it  shall  be  said  of  them,  as  of  the 
Egyptians  to  Israel,  '  Stand  still,  and  see  the  salva- 
tion of  God.'  These  corruptions  thou  seest  to  day, 
henceforth  thou  shalt  see  them  no  more  for  ever! 
when  thou  shalt  lay  down  thy  weapons  of  prayers, 
tears  and  groans,  and  put  on  the  armor  of  light, 
not  to  fight  but  triumph  in. 

Lord!  when  shall  this  blessed  day  come?  How 
long!  how  long!  Holy  and  True?  My  soul  waiteth 
for  Thee!  Come,  my  Beloved!  and  be  Thou  like  a 
roe  or  a  young  hart  upon  the  mountains  of  Bether. 
Amen. 


STEPHEN  CHARNOOK,  B.  D. 

1628-1680. 

Meditation  on  the  Glory  of  Christ. 

EDITATE  upon  the  glory  of  Christ: 
without  a  due  and  frequent  reflection 
upon  it,  we  can  never  have  a  spirit  of 
thankfulness  for  our  great  redemption ; 
because  we  cannot  else  have  sound 
impressions  of  the  magnificent  grace  of  God  in 
Christ.  It  is  the  least  we  can  do,  to  give  Him  a 
room  in  our  thoughts,  who  hath  been  a  forerun- 
ner in  glory,  to  make  room  for  us  in  a  hapj^y 
world.  As  the  ancient  Israelites  linked  their  devo- 
tion to  the  temple  and  ark  at  Jerusalem,  the  visi- 
ble sign  God  had  given  them  of  His  presence, 
ought  we  not  also  to  fix  our  eyes  and  hearts  on  the 
holy  place  which  contains  our  ark,  the  body  of  the 
Lord  Jesus?  The  meditation  on  this  glory  will 
keep  us  in  acts  of  faith  on  Him,  obedience  to  Him, 
a  lively  hope  of  enjoying  blessedness  by  Him, 
1  Peter  i.  21.  If  we  did  believe  Him  dignified  with 
power  at  the  right  hand  of  His  Father,  it  would  be 
the  strongest  motive  to  encourage  and  quicken  our 
obedience  and  fill  us  with  hopes  of  being  with  Him, 


252  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

since  He  is  gone  up  in  triumph  as  our  Head:  it 
would  make  us  liiglily  bless  God  for  the  glory  of 
Christ,  since  it  is  the  day  of  our  triumph,  and  the 
assurance  of  our  liberty. 

It  would  alienate  our  affections  from  the  world, 
and  fix  them  upon  heaven.  The  thoughtis  of  His 
glory  would  put  our  low  and  sordid  souls  to  the 
blush,  and  shame  our  base  and  unworthy  affections, 
so  unsuitable  to  the  glory  of  our  Head.  If  we 
looked  upon  Christ  in  heaven,  '  our  conversation 
would  be  more  there,'  Phil.  iii.  20,  21:  our  hearts 
would  seek  more  '  the  things  which  are  above,'  Col. 
iii.  1;  we  should  loathe  every  thing,  where  Ave  do 
not  find  Him;  and  think  on  that  heaven,  where  only 
we  can  fully  enjoy  Him.  It  would  make  us  have 
heavenly  pantings  after  the  glory  of  another  world, 
and  disjoin  our  affections  from  the  mud  and  dirt  of 
this.  This  would  elevate  our  hearts  from  the  cross 
to  the  throne,  from  the  grave  to  His  glory,  from  His 
windino^-shect  to  His  robes.  If  we  think  on  Him 
mounted  to  heaven,  why  should  we  have  affections 
groveling  upon  the  earth?  It  is  not  fit  our  hearts 
should  be  where  Christ  would  not  vouchsafe  to 
reside  Himself  after  His  work  was  done.  If  He 
would  have  had  our  souls  tied  to  the  earth,  He 
would  have  made  earth  His  habitation;  but  going 
up  to  the  higher  world,  He  taught  us  that  we  should 
follow  Him  in  heart,  till  He  fetched  our  souls  and 
bodies  thither,  to  be  with  Him  in  person. 

It  would  quicken  our  desires  to  be  with  Christ. 
How  did  the  apostle  long  to  be  a  stranger  to  the 


STEniEX   CIIAKXOCK.  253 

body,  that  he  might  be  in  the  tirms  of  his  triumph- 
ant Lord!  Phil.  i.  23.  How  did  Jacob  ardently 
desire  to  see  Joseph,  when  he  heard  he  was  not 
only  living,  but  in  honor  in  Egypt!  And  should 
not  we  npon  the  meditation  of  this  glory  be  in- 
flamed with  a  lono^ins:  to  behold  it,  since  we  have 
the  prayer  of  Christ  Himself  to  encourage  our 
belief  that  it  shall  be  so?  What  spouse  would  not 
desire  to  be  with  her  husband  in  that  glory  she 
hears  he  is  in?  What  loving  member  hath  not  an 
appetite  to  be  joined  to  the  head? 

It  would  encourage  those  at  a  distance  from  Him 
to  come  to  Him,  and  believe  in  Him.  What  need 
we  fear,  since  He  is  entered  into  glory,  and  set 
down  upon  a  throne  of  grace?  If  our  sins  are 
great,  shall  we  despair,  if  we  do  believe  in  Him, 
and  endeavor  to  obey  Him?  This  is  not  only  to  set 
light  by  His  blood,  but  to  think  Him  unworthy  of  the 
glory  He  is  possessed  of,  in  imagining  any  guilt  so 
great  that  it  cannot  be  expiated,  or  any  stain  so  deep 
that  it  cannot  be  purified  by  Him.  A  nation  should 
run  to  Him  because  He  is  glorified,  Isaiah  Iv.  5. 
The  most  condescending  affections  that  ever  He  dis- 
covered, the  most  gracious  invitations  that  ever  He 
made,  were  at  those  times  when  He  had  a  sense  of 
this  glory  in  a  particular  manner,  to  show  His  inten- 
tion in  His  possessing  it.  When  He  spake  of  all 
things  delivered  to  Him  by  His  Father,  an  invitation 
of  men  to  come  unto  Him  is  the  use  He  makes  of  it, 
Matt.  xi.  27,  28.  If  this  be  the  use  He  makes  of 
His  glory  to   invite  us,    it   should  be  the  use  Ave 


254  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

should  make  of  the  thoughts  of  it,  to  accept  His 
proffer.  Well  then,  let  us  be  frequent  in  the  believ- 
ing reviews  of  it.  When  Elisha  fixed  his  eyes  upon 
his  master  Elijah  ascending  into  heaven,  he  had  a 
double  portion  of  his  spirit.  If  we  Avould  exercise 
our  understandings  by  faith  on  the  ascension  and 
glory  of  the  Kedeemer,  and  our  hearts  accompany 
Him  in  His  sitting  down  upon  the  throne  of  His 
Father,  we  might  receive  from  Him  fuller  showers, 
be  revived  with  more  fresh  and  vigorous  communi- 
cations of  the  Spirit;  for  thus  He  bestows  grace  and 
gifts  upon  men. 

Christ  our  Advocate. 
^  "TF  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate  with  the 
J_  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous!'  1  John  ii.  1. 
Believers,  while  in  the  world,  are  liable  to  acts  of 
sin.  'If  any  man;'  he  supposeth  that  grace  may  be 
so  weak,  temptation  so  strong,  that  a  believer  may 
fall  into  a  grievous  sin.  While  men  are  in  the  flesh, 
there  are  indwelling  sins,  and  invading  temptations; 
there  is  a  body  of  death  within  them,  and  snares 
about  them.  The  apostle  excludes  not  himself,  for, 
putting  himself  by  the  term  '  we '  into  the  number 
of  those  that  want  the  remed}^,  he  supposes  himself 
liable  to  the  disease :  '  We  have  an  Advocate  with 
the  Father.' 

Though  believers  do,  through  the  strength  of  the 
flesh,  subtlety  of  the  tempter,  power  of  a  tempta- 
tion, and  weakness  of  grace,  fall  into  sin,  yet  they 
should  not  despair  of  succor  and  pardon.     '  If  any 


STEPHEN    CHAENOCK.  255 

man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate.'  Such  a  total 
despondency  would  utterly  ruin  them;  despair 
would  bind  their  sins  upon  them.  Be  not  only 
cast  down  under  the  consideration  of  the  curses  and 
threatenings  of  the  law,  but  be  erected  by  the  pro- 
mises of  the  GosDel,  and  the  standino^  office  of  Christ 
in  heaven. 

Faith  in  Christ  must  be  exercised  as  often  as  we 
sin.  '  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate.'  What 
is  it  to  us  that  there  is  an  Advocate,  unless  we  will 
put  our  cause  into  His  hand;  though  we  have  a 
foithful  attorney  in  our  worldly  affairs,  yet  upon 
any  emergency  we  must  entertain  him,  let  him 
know  our  cause,  if  we  expect  relief.  Though  Christ, 
being  omniscient,  knows  and  compassionates  our 
case,  yet  He  will  be  solicited;  as,  though  God 
knows  our  wants,  He  will  be  supplicated  to  for  the 
supplies  of  our  necessities;  though  He  understands 
our  case,  He  would  have  us  understand  it  too,  that 
we  may  value  His  office.  Faith  ought  therefore  to 
be  exercised,  because,  by  reason  of  our  daily  sins, 
we  stand  in  need  of  a  daily  intercession.  '  If  any 
man  sin;'  it  implies  that  every  man  ought  to  make 
reflections  on  his  conscience,  lament  his  condition, 
turn-  his  eye  to  his  great  Advocate,  acquaint  Him 
with  his  state,  and  entertain  Him  afresh  in  his  cause. 
Though  He  lives  for  ever  to  make  intercession,  it  is 
only  for  those  who  come  to  God  by  Him,  as  their 
Agent  and  Solicitor;  for  those  who  come  to  the 
Judge,  but  first  come  to  Him  as  their  Attorney. 

The  proper  intention  of  this  office  of  Christ,  is 


256  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS, 

for  sins  after  a  state  of  faith.  He  was  a  Priest  in 
His  propitiation,  to  bring  God  and  man  together; 
He  is  a  Priest  in  His  intercession,  to  keep  God  and 
man  together;  His  propitiation  is  the  foundation  of 
His  intercession,  but  His  intercession  is  an  act  dis- 
tinct from  the  other;  that  was  done  by  His  death, 
this  is  managed  in  His  life;  His  death  was  for  our 
reconciliation,  but  His  life  is  for  the  perpetuating 
that  reconciliation:  Rom.  v.  10.  'If  any  man  sin, 
we  have  an  Advocate.'  If  any  man  sin  that  hath 
entered  into  a  state  of  communion  with  God,  let  him 
know  that  this  office  was  erected  in  heaven  to  keep 
him  rio:ht  in  the  favor  of  the  Judo-e  of  all  the  world. 
"We  should  quickly  mar  all,  and  be  as  miserable  the 
next  minute  after  regeneration  and  justification  as 
before,  if  provision  were  not  in  this  way  made  for 
us.  In  the  first  acts,  faith  eyes  the  propitiation  of 
Christ,  and  pitches  upon  His  death:  Christ,  as  dying, 
is  the  great  support  of  a  soul  nevfly  come  out  of  the 
gulf  of  misery,  and  terrors  of  conscience:  in  after 
acts,  it  eyes  the  life  of  Christ  as  well  as  the  death, 
taking  in  both  His  propitiation  and  intercession 
together. 

How  divine  is  the  Gospel!  'Sin  not,'-=— 'if  any 
man  sin.'  It  gives  us  comfort  against  the  demerit 
of  sin,  without  encouraging  the  acts  of  sin;  it  teaches 
us  an  exact  conformity  to  God  in  holiness,  and  pro- 
vides, for  our  full  security,  in  Christ  a  powerful 
Advocate.  No  religion  is  so  pure  for  the  honor  of 
God,  nor  any  so  cordial  for  the  refreshment  of  the 
creature. 


STErHEN    CHARNOCK.  257 

Christ  presenting  the  Memorials  of  His  Death. 

IT  is  by  the  displaying  the  whole  merit  of  His 
passion,  that  He  doth  solicit  for  us.  Intercession 
is  not  properly  a  sarcedotal  act  without  respect  to 
the  sacrifice.  It  was  with  the  blood  of  the  sacri- 
fice that  the  high  priest  was  to  enter  into  the  holy 
of  holies,  and  sprinkle  it  there.  The  same  blood 
that  had  been  shed  without  on  the  day  of  expiation, 
was  to  be  carried  within  the  veil.  What  was  done 
typically,  Christ  doth  really;  first  give  Himself  a 
sacrifice,  and  then  present  Himself  as  the  sacrifice 
for  us.  The  apostle  shows  us  the  manner  of  it, 
Heb.  xii.  24;  the  blood  of  Christ  is  a  speaking 
blood,  as  well  as  the  blood  of  Abel.  It  speaks  in 
the  same  manner  as  Abel's  blood  did,  though  not 
for  the  same  end.  As  the  blood  of  Abel,  presenting 
itself  before  the  eyes  of  God,  was  as  powerful  to 
draw  down  the  vengeance  of  God,  as  if  it  had 
uttered  a  cry  so  loud  as  to  reach  to  heaven;  so  the 
blood  of  Christ,  being  presented  before  the  throne 
of  God,  powerfully  excites  the  favor  of  God  by  the 
loudness  of  its  cry.  He  speaks  by  His  blood,  and 
His  blood  speaks  by  its  merit.  The  petitions  of 
His  lips  had  done  us  no  good  without  the  voice  of 
His  blood.  He  stands  as  a  Lamb  slain,  when  He 
presents  the  prayers  of  the  saints.  Rev.  v.  6,  8;  with 
His  bleeding  wounds  open  as  so  many  mouths  full 
of  pleas  for  us,  and  every  one  of  them  is  the  memo- 
rial and  mark  of  the  things  which  He  sufiercd,  and 
for  what  end  He  suflered  them;  as  the  wounds  of  a 
soldier,  received  in  the  defence  and  for  the  honor 


258  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

of  his  country,  displayed  to  persons  sensible  of 
them,  are  the  loudest  and  best  pleas  for  the  grant 
of  his  request.  If  the  party-colored  rainbow  being 
looked  upon  by  God,  reminds  Him  of  His  covenant 
not  to  destroy  the  world  again  by  a  deluge,  Gen.  ix. 
14-16,  much  more  are  the  wounds  which  Christ 
bears  both  in  His  hands,  feet,  and  side,  remem- 
brancers to  Him  of  the  covenant  of  grace  made 
with  repenting  and  believing  sinners.  The  look  of 
God  upon  these  wounds  whereby  so  great  an  obla- 
tion is  remembered,  doth  as  efficaciously  move  Him 
to  look  kindly  upon  us,  as  the  look  upon  the  rain- 
bow disposeth  Him  to  the  continuance  of  the  world. 
If  our  Saviour  had  not  a  mouth  to  speak.  He  hath 
blood  to  plead,  and  His  blood  cries  louder  in  heaven 
for  us,  than  His  voice  did  in  any  of  the  prayers  He 
uttered  upon  earth;  for  by  this  His  performance  of 
the  articles  on  His  part  is  manifested,  and  the  per- 
formance of  the  promises  on  God's  part  solicited; 
when  He  sees  what  the  Eedeemer  hath  done,  He 
reflects  upon  what  He  Himself  is  to  do;  the  blood 
of  Christ  speaks  the  tenor  of  the  covena^nt  of  re- 
demption made  with  Christ  on  the  behalf  of  sinners. 
It  is  a  presenting  our  persons  to  God  together 
with  His  blood  in  an  affectionate  manner.  As  the 
high  priest,  when  he  went  into  the  holy  of  holies, 
was  to  bear  the  names  of  the  children  of  Israel  in 
the  breast-plate  of  judgment  upon  his  heart,  Exod. 
xxviii.  29,  to  which  the  Church  alludes  in  her  desire 
that  she  might  be  '  set  as  a  seal  upon  the  heart  of 
her  Beloved,'  Cant.  viii.  6;  and  perhaps  there  may 


STE1»HEN    CIIARNOCK.  259 

be  also  an  allusion  in  Rev.  iii.  5,  confessing  the 
names  of  the  victorious  sufferers  before  His  Father, 
bearing  their  names  visibly  before  Him.  The  per- 
sons of  believers  are  His  jewels  locked  up  in  the 
cabinet  of  His  own  breast,  and  showed  to  His  Fa- 
ther in  the  exercise  of  His  priestly  office. 


rp] 


Perpetuity  of  Christ's  Intercession. 
^HE  first  evidence  is  in  the  text:  'We  have  an 
JL  Advocate.'  We  have,  at  this  present  moment; 
we  have  an  Advocate  actually  remembering  us  in 
His  thoughts,  and  presenting  us  to  His  Father;  we 
in  this  age,  we  in  all  ages,  till  the  dissolution  of  the 
world;  without  any  faintness  in  the  degrees  of  His 
intercession,  without  any  interruption  in  time;  He 
never  ceases  the  exercise  of  this  office,  so  far  as  it  is 
agreeable  to  that  high  and  elevated  state  wherein  He 
is.  As  there  are  continual  sins  of  believers  in  all 
ages  of  the  world,  so  there  are  constant  pleas  of  the 
Advocate. 

Christ  is  an  Intercessor  for  us  in  the  w^hole  course 
of  our  pilgrimage,  all  the  time  that  we  have  any 
need  of  Him;  His  voice  is  the  same  still:  'I  will 
that  they  behold  my  glory  which  Thou  hast  given 
me,'  till  they  are  w^afted  from  hence  to  a  full  vision 
of  it.  This  is  the  true  end  of  His  heavenly  life,  and 
His  living  for  ever  there:  '  Seeing  He  ever  liveth  to 
make  intercession  for  them,'  Heb.  vi.  25;  He  lives 
solely  to  this  purpose,  to  discharge  this  part  of  His 
driesthood  for  us.  His  advocacy  is  like  His  life, 
without  end:  as  He  died  once,  to  merit  our  rcdemp- 


260  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

tion,  so  He  lives  always,  to  make  application  of  re- 
demption. He  would  not  answer  the  end  of  His 
life,  if  He  did  not  exercise  the  office  of  His  priest- 
hood. It  would  not  be  a  love  like  that  of  a  God, 
if  He  did  not  bear  His  people  continually  upon  His 
heart.  He  was  the  Author  of  our  faith,  by  endur- 
ing the  cross;  and  the  Finisher  of  our  faith,  by 
'  sitting  down  at  the  right  hand  of  God,'  Heb.  xii.  2. 
He  will  be  exercised  in  it  as  long  as  there  is  any 
faith  to  be  finished  and  completed  in  the  world. 
His  oblation  was  a  transient  act,  but  His  appear- 
ance in  heaven  for  us  is  a  permanent  act  and  con- 
tinues for  ever.  His  mediatorial  glory  is  not  con- 
summate, though  His  personal  be.  He  hath  yet  a 
mystical  self  to  be  perfected,  a  fullness  to  be 
enriched  with:  He  cannot  be  intent  upon  this  with- 
out minding  the  concerns  of,  and  putting  up  pleas 
for  His  people;  for  they  are  one  with  Him,  'the 
fullness  of  Him  that  filleth  all  in  all,'  Eph.  i.  23. 
There  can  be  no  cessation  of  His  work,  till  His  ene- 
mies be  conquered,  and  His  whole  mystical  body 
wrapt  up  in  glory.  -.     - 

He  is  always  in  the  presence  of  His  Father  in  the 
dignity  of  His  Person,  and  fullness  of  His  merit, 
continually  spreading  every  part  of  His  meritorious 
sacrifice  in  the  view  of  God.  The  high  priest  en- 
tered into  the  holy  of  holies  but  once  a  year,  but 
this  High  Priest  sits  forever  in  the  court  in  a  per- 
petual exercise  of  His  function,  both  as  a  priest  and 
a  sacrifice.  And  since  His  own  sacrifice  for  sins 
ofiered  on  earth  was  sufficient.  He  hath  nothing  to 


STEPHEN    CHARNOCK.  261 

do  perpetually  in  heaven,  but  to  sprinkle  the  blood 
of  that  sacrifice  upon  the  mercy-seat.  He  is  never 
out  of  the  presence  of  God,  and  the  infiniteness  of 
His  compassions  may  hinder  us  from  imagining  a 
silence  in  Him,  when  any  accusations  are  brought  in 
against  us.  The  accusations  might  succeed  well, 
were  He  out  of  the  way;  but  being  always  present. 
He  is  always  active  in  His  solicitations;  no  clamor 
can  come  against  us,  but  He  hears  it,  as  being  on 
the  right  hand  of  His  Father,  and  appears  as  our 
Attorney  there  in  the  presence  of  God,  to  answer  it, 
as  the  high-priest  appeared  in  the  holy  of  holies  for 
all  the  people. 

Efficacy  of  Cheist's  Inteecession. 

HE  is  an  Advocate  to  the  Father;  not  only  to 
Him  at  a  distance,  but  with  Him:  the  con- 
stant presence  of  a  favorite  with  a  king,  of  a 
princely  son  with  a  royal  father,  is  a  means  to  make 
his  intercessions  of  force  with  him:  He  is  an  Advo- 
cate, and  He  is  constantly  with  the  Father  in  that 
capacity.  A  letter  from  a  friend  is  not  so  successful 
as  a  personal  appearance,  for  gaining  a  suit.  If  His 
death  were  meritorious.  His  prayer  must  be  so  too, 
as  being  put  up  in  the  virtue  of  His  meritorious 
blood;  and  though  Ave  are  reconciled  by  His  death, 
yet  we  are  saved  by  His  life,  with  a  'much  more,' 
Rom.  V.  10;  not  formally  in  regard  of  merit,  for 
that  was  the  effect  of  His  death,  but  in  regard  of 
application  of  that  merit,  the  end  for  which  He 
lives,  to  render  it  efficacious  to  us,  as  it  had  been 


2G2  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ill  His  passion  valuable  for  us.  If  He  separated 
Himself  to  death  to  procure  it,  He  will  employ  the 
authority  and  dignity  of  His  life  to  finish  and  apply 
it.  As  none  offered  so  noble  a  sacrifice,  so  none 
lives  a  more  powerful  life.  As  when  He  was  on 
earth,  never  man  spake  as  He  spake;  so  now  He  is 
in  heaven,  never  did  man  or  angel  plead  as  He 
pleads.  '  If  whatsoever  we  ask  in  His  name,'  we 
shall  receive,  John  xvi.  23,  surely  whatsoever  lie 
asks  in  His  own  name,  will  not  be  refused. 

Love  to  Christ  as  our  Advocate. 

LET  our  afiections  be  in  heaven  with  our  Advo- 
cate. Though  the  people  of  Israel  were  barred 
from  entering  into  the  holy  of  holies  with  the  high 
priest,  when  he  went  to  sprinkle  the  blood  on  the 
mercy-seat,  yet  they  attended  him  with  their  hearts, 
continued  their  wishes  for  his  success,  and  expected 
his  return  with  the  notice  of  his  acceptation.  Since 
Christ  is  entered  into  the  holy  place,  and  acts  our 
business  in  the  midst  of  His  glory,  we  should  raise 
our  hearts  to  Him  where  He  is,  and  link  our  spirits 
with  Him;  and  rejoice  in  the  assured  success  of  His 
negotiation.  Though  a  man  be  not  personally  pres-  *- 
ent  with  his  advocate  in  the  court,  yet  his  heart  and 
soul  is  with  him;  the  heart  is  where  the  chief  busi- 
ness is.  Let  us  not  keep  our  hearts  from  Him  who 
employs  Himself  in  so  great  a  concern  for  us. 

Glorify  and  love  this  Advocate.  If  Christ  pre- 
sents our  persons  and  prayers  in  heaven,  it  is  reason 
we  should  live  to  His  glory  upon  earth.     If  He  car- 


STEPHEN    CIIARXOCK.  203 

ries  our  names  on  His  breast  near  His  heart,  as  a 
signal  of  His  affection  to  us,  we  should  carry  His 
name  upon  our  hearts  in  a  way  of  ingenuous  return. 
We  should  empty  ourselves  of  all  unworthy  affec- 
tions, be  inflamed  with  an  ardent  love  to  Him,  and 
behave  ourselves  towards  Him  as  the  most  amiable 
object.  This  is  but  due  to  Him  as  He  is  our  Advo- 
cate. 

The  Glorified  Eedeemer. 

IF  the  righteous  are  to  shine  '  as  the  sun  in  the 
kingdom  of  their  Father,'  Matt.  xiii.  43,  the 
Head  of  the  righteous  shines  with  a  splendor  above 
that  of  the  sun,  for  He  hath  a  glory  upon  His  body, 
not  only  from  the  glory  of  His  soul,  as  the  saints 
shall  have,  but  from  the  glory  of  His  Divinity,  in 
conjunction  with  it.  The  glory  of  His  Divinity 
redounds  upon  His  humanity,  like  a  beam  of  the 
sun  that  conveys  a  dazzling  brightness  to  a  piece  of 
crystal.  There  was  an  interruption  of  this  glory 
while  He  was  in  this  w^orld.  though  the  human  nature 
then  was  united  with  the  divine;  but  this  interrup- 
tion Avas  necessary  for  those  acts  which  He  was  to 
perform  in  our  stead,  for  the  satisfaction  of  God,  and 
the  discharge  of  His  office.  Had  the  glory  of  the 
divinity  broke  out  upon  His  body.  He  had  not  been 
capable  of  suffering.  What  mortal  could  have  stood 
before  Him,  much  less  laid  hands  on  Him?  AYhat 
mortal  durst  have  accounted  Him  a  blasphemer,  an 
imposter,  and  have  exercised  any  violence  against 
Him,  had  His  divinity  so  ftishioncd  His  humanity? 


264  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

But  now  it  is,  as  it  was  in  His  transfiguration,  Matt 
xvii.  2 ;  the  glory  He  had  then  wrought  an  alteration 
not  onl}^  in  His  body,  but  in  His  garments,  which 
could  not  be  of  the  most  splendid,  as  not  suiting 
His  present  state  of  humiliation,  yet  '  they  became 
shining,  exceeding  white  as  snow,  so  as  no  fuller 
on  earth  can  white  them,'  Mark  ix.  3;  much  more 
must  that  firm  and  perpetual  glory  in  heaven  have 
the  same  influence  upon  His  refined  body,  that  hath 
cast  off  those  corruptible  qualities  which  hung  upon 
it  on  earth,  and  doth  more  excel  in  glory  that  body 
He  had  on  earth,  than  the  glory  of  the  sun  surpass- 
eth  that  of  a  glow-worm.  It  is  such  a  glory  as 
would  dazzle  mortals  to  behold  it;  for  if  His  glory 
upon  Mount  Tabor  cast  Peter  into  an  ecstacy,  what 
effect  would  His  glory  upon  His  throne  work  upon 
a  mortal  nature?  Whence  it  follows,  that  there 
must  be  a  mighty  change  of  the  bodies  of  the  glo- 
rified saints,  to  capacitate  them  for  the  beholding 
this  glory  of  Christ,  the  intent  views  whereof  are 
part  of  their  happiness,  John  xvii.  24. 

The  Substance  of  the  Gospel. 

THE  doctrine  of  the  death  of  Christ  is  the  sub- 
stance of  the  Gospel;  though  there  be  many 
doctrines  in  it  beside  that,  there  is  no  comfort  from 
any  of  them,  without  the  consideration  of  the  Cross 
of  Christ;  for  though  God  be  merciful  in  His  own 
nature,  yet  since  sin  hath  made  a  separation  between 
God  and  His  creature,  it  is  impossible  to  renew  any 
communion  with  Him  without  a  propitiation  for  the 


STEPHEN   CHARXOCK..  2G5 

offeuce.  We  see  then  Christ  is  the  only  meritorious 
cause  of  our  justification;  nothing  that  we  can  clo 
can  justify  us  before  God;  we  must  be  wholl}^  off  from 
ourselves  and  our  own  righteousness,  as  to  any  de- 
pendence on  it,  and  act  faith  in  the  death  of  the  Son 
of  God,  if  we  would  be  secure  here  in  our  consciences, 
or  happy  hereafter. 

Love  of  God. 

THIS  love  is  perpetual.  He  was  in  Christ  recon- 
ciling  the  world;  He  will  to  the  end  of  the 
world  beseech  men  to  be  reconciled  to  Him.  Love 
was  the  motive,  the  glory  of  His  grace  was  the  end; 
Avhat  was  so  from  eternity,  will  be  so  to  eternity. 
His  love  is  as  strong  as  it  was,  for  infinite  receives 
no  diminution;  His  glory  is  as  dear  as  it  was,  for  to 
deny  His  glory  is  to  deny  himself.  How  great  will 
be  the  joy  of  those  that  accept  it!  how  dismal  the 
torment  and  sorrow  of  those  that  refuse  it! 

Our  Access  to  God. 

SINCE  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world, 
we  go  to  Him  upon  the  account  of  an  immutable 
righteousness,  a  righteousness  He  settled  as  an  act 
of  grace  to  us,  and  security  to  His  own  glory:  whereas 
Adam  could  approach  to  Him  but  upon  the  account 
of  a  mutable  righteousness,  Avhich  might  be  as  the 
grass  standing  this  day,  and  withered  to-morrow. 
Our  access  to  God  is  with  a  joy  in  the  '  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God,'  Eom.  v.  2.  And  when  we  take  hold 
of  His  covenant,  this  covenant  of  peace,  we  have  His 

1^ 


266  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

word  that  He  will  make  us  'joyful  in  the  house  of 
prayer/  Isa.  Ivi.  6,  7;  actively  joyful,  full  of  de- 
light in  His  service,  solacing  ourselves  in  a  sweet 
consideration  of  the  infinite  s'race  of  a  reconcilins* 
God,  whereby  a  transcendent  delight  is  raised  in  the 
soul,  which  is  a  direct  delight  in  God  as  the  object 
of  faith,  discovered  in  Christ,  and  apprehended  by 
spiritual  reason  and  sense:  passively  joyful,  by  re- 
ceivino^  in  His  service  more  of  the  refreshinc:  waters 
of  life,  and  being  fed  with  the  'hidden  manna,' 
which  God  communicates  in  and  by  Christ  to  His 
friends.  And  beside,  though  our  services  are  imper- 
fect, God  expects  not  a  perfect  obedience  from  us, 
but  from  His  Son  Christ;  it  is  a  full  assurance  of 
faith  He  expects  from  us,  and  a  true  heart,  not  a  per- 
fect obedience;  His  promise  gives  us  joy,  though  the 
sense  of  our  imperfections  creates  a  sorrow.  Though 
we  cannot  delight  in  ourselves,  we  may  in  God,  in 
His  promise,  in  His  gracious  condescension,  in  the 
compensation  He  hath  from  His  Son  for  us,  in  His 
acceptation  of  it,  and  application  of  it  to  our  souls. 

The  Covenant  of  Eedemption. 

FLY  to  this  covenant  of  redemption,  as  well  as  to 
the  covenant  of  grace,  since  that  is  the  founda- 
tion of  this.  All  other  considerations  of  Christ's 
death,  merit,  and  every  thing  stored  up  in  Christ, 
can  give  us  little  hope,  unless  we  consider  this  cove- 
nant, which  supports  all  the  other  stones  of  the 
building.  Fly  to  it  when  your  souls  are  in  heavi- 
ness; though  there  may  be  sometimes  clouds  upon 


STEPHEN    CHARNOCK.  267 

the  face  of  God,  yet  consider  those  compassions  in 
His  heart  when  He  struck  this  covenant  with  Christ: 
He  covenanted  to  bruise  His  own  Son  by  His  wrath, 
while  He  promised  to  support  Him  by  His  strength, 
and  the  sounding  of  His  bowels  always  kept  pace 
with  the  blows  of  His  hand.  The  consideration  of 
this  will  encourage  our  faintness,  silence  our  fears, 
nonplus  our  scruples,  and  settle  our  staggering  faith. 
Is  a  believer  in  a  storm;  here  is  an  anchor  to  hold 
him:  is  he  sinkino^?  here  is  a  bouo-h  to  catch  at:  is 
he  pursued  by  spiritual  enemies?  here  is  a  refuge  to 
fly  to.  Sin  cannot  so  much  oblige  God's  justice  to 
punish  as  His  oath  to  Christ  obligeth  Him  to  save  a 
repenting  and  believing  sinner.  These  two  cove- 
nants, that  of  redemption  and  the  other  of  grace,  are 
as  a  Hur  and  Aaron  to  hold  up  the  hands  of  a  feeble 
faith.  His  love  cannot  die  as  long  as  His  faithful- 
ness remains,  nor  His  peace  with  the  soul  perish  as 
long  as  the  covenant  Avith  His  Son  endures.  This 
covenant  of  redemption  is  to  be  pleaded  by  us,  as 
well  as  the  merit  of  Christ's  death,  because  the  merit 
of  His  death  is  founded  upon  this  compact. 

Chpjst  Filled  with  the  Spieit. 

HE  is  filled  with  His  Spirit  by  the  Father,  i.  e. 
with  all  the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Spirit. 
That  precious  ointment  composed  of  so  many  sweet 
and  excellent  ingredients,  wherewith  the  Levitical 
high  priest  was  anointed,  Exod.  xxx.  was  a  type 
of  those  excellent  graces  of  the  great  High  Priest, 
whereby  He  was  qualified  for  the  exercise    of  His 


268  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

offices.  As  the  Spirit  espoused  the  human  nature  to 
the  divine,  so  He  espoused  all  His  gifts  and  graces 
to  the  human.  As  the  body  was  conceived  by  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  so  His  soul  was  beautified 
and  adorned  by  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  where- 
by He  became  '  fairer  than  the  clnldren  of  men,  and 
grace  was  poured  into  His  lips.^  Psalm  xlv.  2. 
'  His  going  forth  is  prepared  as  the  morning,'  Hos. 
vi.  3,  furnished  with  all  things  necessary  to  work 
out  redemption  and  free  the  world  from  the  wrath 
of  God,  as  the  sun  is  with  light  to  deliver  the  world 
from  the  darkness  of  the  night. 

'He  had  the  Spirit  not  by  measure,'  John  iii-t  34, 
not  as  light  in  a  room,  but  as  light  in  the  sun:  not 
as  water  hi  a  vessel  where  the  bounds  are  visible, 
but  like  water  in  the  ocean,  where  the  depths  and 
limits  are  unknown.  In  Him  there  was  nothins^but 
Spirit  and  fullness,  without  limits  for  quantity;  with- 
out imperfection  for  quality;  all  the  treasures;  the 
fountain,  not  the  rivers.  There  are  varieties  of  shifts 
as  there  are  of  stars,  and  the  qualities  of  them  in 
heaven;  and  of  flowers,  and  the  beauties  of  them 
upon  earth;  what  were  various  in  others  were  entire 
in  Him. 

Infinite  Compassion  of  God. 

O  MARVELOUS  grace!  that  Christ  should  be 
endued  with  the  richest  grace  by  His  Father, 
to  relieve  our  poverty;  with  the  highest  might  to 
help  our  weakness;  with  a  powerful  assistance  to 
conquer  our  enemies;  with  an  overflowing  fullness 


STEPHEN    CHARNOCK.  269 

to  fill  up  our  emptiness:  and  abundant  grace  poured 
into  His  lips  to  comfort  our  dejectedness.  God 
cannot  show  greater  love  than  to  send  His  Son  to 
make  the  peace  and  unlock  His  cabinet  wherewith 
to  furnish  Him.  An  old  frame  of  thankfulness  will 
not  fit  an  evangelical  discovery  of  love.  Isa.  xlii. 
9,  10.  When  God  tells  them  of  '  His  servant  in 
whom  His  soul  delights/  and  upon  w^hom  He  had 
put  His  Spirit  for  the  redemption  of  man,  then  He 
makes  this  use  of  exhortation  of  it,  '  Sing  unto  the 
Lord  a  new  song.'  New  love  calls  for  new  praise. 
God  might  have  destroyed  us  with  less  cost  than  He 
hath  reconciled  us;  for  our  destruction  there  was  no 
need  of  His  counsel  nor  of  fitting  out  His  Son,  nor 
opening  His  treasures;  a  word  would  have  done  it, 
whereas  our  reconciliation  stood  Him  in  much  charofe. 
It  was  performed  at  the  expense  of  His  grace  and 
Spirit,  to  furnish  His  eternal  Son  to  be  a  sacrifice  for 
our  atonement.  An  inexpressible  wonder  that  the 
Father  should  prepare  His  Son  a  mortal  body  that 
our  souls  might  be  prepared  for  an  incorruptible 
glory. 

The  Saviour's  Agony. 

HOW  was  His  soul  begirt  with  the  wrath  of  God 
before  His  agony  in  the  garden!  What  an 
excess  of  sorrow  do  those  words  signify,  '  sore 
amazed,  sorrowful,  very  heavy;'  Matt.  xxvi.  37, 
Mark  xiv.  33;  an  inward  quaking,  an  inexpressible 
amazement!  What  a  deluge  fell  from  heaven  upon 
our  Ark,  of  which  that  of  Noah  was  a  type!     How 


AlO  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

was  His  soul  ground  to  poAvder  in  His  agony!  How 
did  His  soul  boil  under  the  fire  of  wrath,  and  His 
blood  leak  through  every  pore  of  the  vessel  by  the 
extremity  of  the  flame!  Must  it  not  be  more  than  a 
finite  breath  that  thus  melted  His  soul  in  the  garden? 
Must  it  not  be  a  stronger  than  a  finite  stroke  that 
wrung  out  those  bitter  cries?  Was  there  any  visible 
person  to  afiiict  Him?  Yet  His  agonies  there  are 
thouo-ht  to  have  more  of  hell-fire  in  them  than  His 
sufierings  on  the  cross;  clots  of  blood  dropped  from 
Him  when  there  was  no  visible  hand  to  strike  Him: 
inconceivable  must  be  the  afflictions  of  His  soul  that 
could  make  such  dismal  commotions  in  His  body, 
and  put  the  whole  instrument  out  of  tune;  that  should 
make  a  dissolution  of  the  parts,  and  make  His  heart 
like  melted  wax  'in  the  midst  of  His  bowels.' 
Psalm  xxii.  14.  His  spotless  conscience  could  not 
flash  such  lightnings,  as  to  melt  the  sword  when 
nothins:  touched  the  scabbard;  His  Father  was  then 
charging  Him  with  our  sins,  actuating  His  knowledge 
and  sense  of  them.  He  had  all  His  lifetime  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  ingratitude  and  rebellion  of-,  sin;  He 
knew  how  it  had  ofiended  and  injured  God;  how  it 
had  deformed  and  ruined  the  creature:  now  was  His 
knowledge  actuated,  and  the  charging  upon  Him  the 
punishment  of  them  made  His  knowledge  sensible 
and  experimental.  This  cup  discovers  more  bitter 
ingredients  than  any  creature  could  wring  out  into  it. 


stepiiex  charnock.  271 

Christ's  Love  as  Manifested  in  His  Death. 

(Christ  was  now  upon  the  liigliest  manifestation 
J  of  His  compassions  to  mankind.  His  death 
was  the  emphasis  of  His  love;  His  love  was  stronger 
and  purer  than  the  love  of  any  creature,  not  only  in 
regard  of  the  excellency  of  His  person,  but  the  great- 
ness of  His  sufferings.  Had  He  endured  only  a 
death  of  the  body,  and  not  such  a  death  that  could 
have  been  inflicted  only  by  an  infinite  hand,  His  love 
had  lost  much  of  its  lustre.  His  love  is  principally 
laid  upon  the  score  of  His  death:  'Who  loved  me 
and  gave  Himself  for  me.'     Gal.  ii.  20. 

God  Spared  not  His  Son. 

HOW  great  is  this  love  that  valued  our  salvation 
above  the  life  of  an  only  Son^  and  shed  a 
blood  more  valuable  than  the  whole  creation  to  pre- 
serve ours,  which  could  not  be  equivalent  to  the 
j)rice  of  it;  and  put  Him  into  the  posture  of  an  ene- 
my to  His  Son  to  make  us  His  friends!  If  the 
thunders  of  the  law  had  been  shot  upon  us,  what 
strength  had  we  to  bear  them?  What  merit  to  re- 
move them?  How  great  is  the  love  of  the  Eedeem- 
er,  to  be  willing  not  to  be  spared  for  a  time,  rather 
than  millions  of  men  and  women  should  ftiil  of  beinc: 
spared  forever!  'It  w^as  for  our  transgressions  He 
was  wounded,  for  our  iniquities  He  was  bruised,  and 
the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  Him.'  Isa. 
liii.  5.  In  every  wound  God  gave  Him  He  minded 
the  full  punishment  of  our  sin,  in  the  person  of  our 
Saviour,  that  those  whom  He  represented  might  go 


272  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

free.  He  spared  Him  not,  abated  not  a  mite  of  what 
justice  might  demand,  that  so  His  people  might 
have  a  full  redemption.  '  He  spared  not  His  own 
Son,  but  delivered  Him  up  for  us  all.'  Rom.  vii. 
32.  He  did  not  spare  Him  in  regard  of  the  strength 
of  justice,  wherewith  He  punished  Him.  What 
could  more  enhance  the  love  of  God  than  the  terrors 
inflicted  on  Christ?  And  what  could  more  enhance 
the  love  of  Christ  than  that  He  endured  not  only  a 
bodily  death,  but  a  wrathful  deatli  in  His  soul  for 
us? 

Let,  then,  this  love  engage  every  man  to  come  to 
God  throuo'h  Christ.  How  should  it  ravish  us  into 
an  humble  compliance  with  Him  and  subjection  to 
Him!  If  He  hath  bruised  Him  for  us.  He  will  not 
bruise  us  if  we  come  to  Him.  The  blood  shed  by 
the  order  of  God  is  able  to  expiate  a  world  of  sins. 
God  hath  spent  His  wrath  upon  Him,  and  hath  none 
for  those  that  accept  of  Him.  God  hath  discovered 
a  propensity  to  be  reconciled,  though  we  lie  open 
to  the  stroke  of  His  justice  and  have  no  strength  to 
withstand  Him;  a  higher  evidence  He  caimot  give. 

Our  Acceptance  in  Christ. 

THE  acceptation  of  our  persons  and  services  re- 
dounds to  us  from  the  Father's  acceptance  of 
Christ.  His  love  to  Christ  as  Mediator,  is  the  ground 
of  our  acceptation:  *To  the  praise  of  the  glory  of 
His  grace,  wherein  He  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the 
beloved.'  Eph.  i.  6.  He  chose  Him  first  as  the 
head,  and  His  members  in  Him;  He  accepts  Him  as 


STEPHEN    ClIARNOCK.  273 

the  first  beloved,  and  believers  in  Him.  Had  not 
Christ  been  accepted  first,  none  could  have  pretended 
a  holiness  worthy  of  the  notice  of  God.  The  grace 
of  God  is  the  cause,  His  love  to  Christ  the  o^round, 
acceptation  of  us  in  Him  the  efiect  of  both.  In  our- 
selves, we  are  the  o]>jccts  of  His  anger;  in  Christ,  the 
marks  of  His  choice  affection. 

His  death  is  so  valuable  as  to  procure  the  casting 
our  sins  into  the  depths  of  the  sea,  and  the  advancing 
our  persons  to  the  heights  of  glory,  to  stand  before 
God  in  His  kingdom. 

Since  this  acceptance  how  doth  justice  itself  smile! 
The  rod  of  God's  fury  falls  out  of  His  hand  upon 
the  sweetness  of  His  Son's  offering,  and  gives  way 
to  a  sceptre  of  grace:  nothing  was  omitted  which 
was  necessary  for  the  pleasure  of  God's  piercing  eye. 
This  may  well  calm  the  fears  in  our  hearts,  because 
It  smooths  the  frowns  in  God's  face.  If  no  char<re 
can  be  brought  against  Christ,  since  the  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  sufficiency  of  His  offering,  no  charge  can 
be  brought  against  believers.  For  whom  was  it  per- 
formed but  for  them?  For  whom  was  it  accepted 
but  for  them?  The  acceptation  must  be  for  the 
same  ends  for  which  His  sufferiuo's  were  endured: 
shall  not  then  the  influence  of  it  upon  them,  answer 
the  intention  of  it  for  them?  If  it  should  not,  the 
first  acceptation  would  be  in  vain:  Christ  must  then 
return  to  offer  another  sacrifice,  which  shall  never  be. 
In  the  acceptation  of  Christ  for  you.  He  hath  accept- 
ed you  in  Him.     He  stood  in  no  need  of  it,  but  in 

relation  to  you;  He  was   the  eternal  Son  of   God, 

12* 


274  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

acceptable  to  the  Fatliel*;  but  by  this  He  is  estab- 
lished an  eternal  Saviour.     An  obedient  faith  on  our 
part,  will  entitle  us  to  salvation  on  His  part:   'And 
being  made  perfect,  He  became  the  Author  of  eternal 
salvation  unto  all  them  that  obey  Him.'     Heb.  v.  9. 
Since  God  hath  accepted  Him  for  you,  God  will  ap- 
pear full  of  omniscience  to  understand  your  wants, 
full  of  compassion  to  pity  you,  full  of  power  to  re- 
lieve you,  full  of  wisdom  to  guide  you,  full  of  grace 
to  pardon  you,  full  of  glory  to  bless  you  forever. 
Every  believer  will  be  accepted  by  God,  because  by 
his  faith  he  owns  that  which  gives  God  a  rest,  and 
as  the  grace  of  God  assists  him,  so  he  contributes  to 
God's  contentment.  Oh  then  remember  your  offences 
against  God,  to  be  humbled;  and  God's  acceptation 
of  the  blessed  offering  to  be  comforted.     The  odor 
of  this  sacrifice  was  so  agreeable  to  God,  that  not 
content  to  discharge  us  from  the  condemnation  we 
had  merited.  He  would  also  that  we  should  partake 
of  the  life  and  enjoy  the  kingdom  of  His  Son,  judg- 
ing it  not  equity  to  make  any  separation  between  the 
Head  and  the   members,  the   Redeemer  and  the  re- 
deemed; and  a  disparagement  to  the  greatness  of 
the  offer  and  offering,  to  shut  heaven  against  them; 
hereby  is  not  only  condemnation  removed,  but  eter- 
nal glory  assured.     It  is  not  only  a  'not  perishing' 
but  an  'eternal  life'  upon  faith.     John  iii.  16. 


stephen  charnock.  275 

The  Gospel. 

THE  gospel  is  the  dove  bringing  an  olive-branch 
of  peace,  j)ut  into  its  mouth  by  God;  it  brings 
us  news  of  the  allay  of  His  Avrath,  which  was  due  to 
our  sins,  and  that  His  sword  is  blunted  by  Himself 
in  the  bowels  of  His  Son,  that  it  might  not  be  sheath- 
ed in  ours.  It  shows  us  a  shelter  for  storms,  a  light 
in  God's  countenance  even  in  the  shadow  of  dark- 
ness. Here  God  draws  near  to  man,  that  man  may 
have  access  to  Him.  He  makes  His  Son  like  to  man, 
that  man  might  be  rendered  capable  of  approaching 
to  God.  Tavo  natures  are  joined  in  one  person,  that 
there  may  be  an  amiable  conjunction  of  two  different 
parties;  He  exposeth  His  beloved  Son  to  the  strokes 
of  His  justice  for  a  time,  that  He  might  reassume  His 
life  with  honor  for  ever. 

God  in  the  gospel  presents  us  with  a  Mediator  of 
His  own  choosing,  of  His  own  fitting,  of  His  own 
ordering;  One  that  He  will  not  refuse,  whose  inter- 
cessions He  is  pleased  with:  tliat  He  might  keep  ofi* 
the  darts  of  divine  justice  from  us,  that  we  might 
draw  near  through  the  veil  of  His  flesh,  Heb.  x.  20, 
that  we  may  look  upon  God  in  Christ,  without  being 
dazzled  by  His  glory  or  scorched  by  His  wrath. 
Now,  may  devouring  fire  and  combustible  stubble 
meet  together;  fire  without  scorching,  stubl)le  with- 
out consuming.  Here  miser}^  may  approach  to  glory, 
because  glory  condescends  to  misery.  Hereby  guilt 
is  removed,  which  makes  us  incapable  of  access  to 
God;  and  wrath  is  removed,  which  hinders  our 
actual  access.     Here  may  all  that  Avill  believe  in  God 


276  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

tlirougli  Christ  and  conform  to  His  laws,  walk  in  the 
midst  of  the  furnace  of  God's  justice  without  having 
a  hair  of  their  heads  touched,  without  feeling  the 
smart  of  that  which  will  be  quick  in  consuming  un- 
regenerate  men.  Since  nothing  else  discovers  any 
peace  with  God,  no  doctrine  else  can  make  any  peace 
in  the  conscience.  It  is  the  old  way  gives  rest  to  the 
soul,  Jer.  vi.  16,  the  way  as  old  as  the  first  promise 
of  a  Reconciler.  All  other  ways,  if  rightly  consid- 
ered, rather  promote  than  allay  suspicions  of  God. 
Conscience  hath  no  ground  to  make  any  comfortable 
reflection  without  some  plain  declaration  of  God's 
reconcilableness  and  reconciliation.  Conscience  can 
show  us  our  guilt,  but  nothing  in  the  world  evi- 
denceth  the  way  of  our  peace  but  the  gospel;  no 
other  religion  discovers  God  in  treaty  about  recon- 
ciliation. 

COMFOET  AGAINST  DeATH. 

IF  God  be  the  author  of  reconciliation  by  Christ, 
then  death,  which  was  the  fruit  of  that  sin  which 
is  now  removed,  can  be  no  dreadful  apparition.  God 
was  in  Christ  and  is  still,  conquering  His  enemies, 
and  this  is  one  enemy  which  must  fall  under  His 
sword  and  be  made  His  footstool.  As  God  w^as  in 
Christ  reconciling  you.  He  is  in  death  calling  for  you 
to  enjoy  the  full-blown  felicities  of  that  peace.  It  is 
no  more  than  a  departure  in  peace,  w  hen  God  is  a 
God  of  peace:  old  Simeon  thought  so,  Luke  ii.  29. 
He  speaks,  says  Gurnal,  like  a  merchant  that  had 
got  all  His  goods  on  shipboard,  and  noAV  desires  the 


stj-:piien  ciiahnock.  277 

master  of  the  ship  to  hoist  sail  and  begone  homeward. 
Death  was  before  a  servant  of  divine  justice;  since 
justice  is  satisfied,  it  is  the  messenger  of  divine 
mercy.  It  was  a  jailer  to  inclose  us  in  the  prison 
of  the  grave;  it  is  now  a  conductor  to  the  glories  of 
heaven.  The  reconciled  soul  is  beyond  the  fears  of 
it.  It  hath  lost  its  sting,  which  was  God's  justice; 
Christ  satisfying  the  one  hath  disarmed  the  other  of 
what  is  hurtful. 


God  to  be  Peaised  in  Eecoxciliation. 

SINCE  God  sends  out  such  a  blessing  to  us,  we 
should  send  out  loud  prayers  to  Him.  Heaven 
smiles  upon  earth,  and  earth  should  bless  heaven. 
Glorify  God  as  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
though  we  have  all  immediately  from^  Christ,  yet 
Christ  hath  all  from  the  Father.  He  is  the  propitia- 
tion for  our  sins,  but  He  wxis  appointed  by  the  Father. 
He  came  to  redeem,  but  He  was  sent  by  God  upon 
that  errand.  He  paid  our  debts  as  a  surety,  but  He 
was  accepted  by  God.  He  was  a  Mediator  to  bring 
us  to  God,  but  He  was  commissioned  by  God  to  that 
end. 

Such  free  and  fidl  compassion  deserves  our  thank- 
fulness, though  we  could  not  merit  His  grace.  It  is 
not  a  contracted,  half-made,  or  oppressive  peace;  it 
is  an  extensive,  tender,  and  abundant  '  peace,  like  a 
river  and  a  flowing  stream;'  a  peace  whereby  we  are 
borne  in  His  bosom.  Isa.  Ixvi.  12.  How  should 
we  adore  the  depth  of  that  wisdom  which  found  a 


278  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

refuge  for  us  when  heaven  and  earth  were  at  war 
with  us! 

God  is  only  praised  in  and  through  Christ;  God 
and  Christ  are  joined  together  in  the  saints'  praise: 
'  Blessing,  honor,  glory  and  power  be  unto  Him  that 
sits  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and 
ever;'  Rev.  v.  13;  and  so  they  should  in  ours.  How 
beautiful  will  this  whole  work  appear,  when  the 
whole  methods  of  it  come  to  be  read  in  heaven  in 
the  original  copy!  when  they  shall  be  seen  in  the 
face,  in  the  bosom  of  God  in  fair  and  plainer  charac- 
ters! To  conclude,  if  all  the  sparks  that  ever  leaped 
out  of  any  fire  since  the  creation,  and  all  the  drops 
of  rain  that  have  fallen  upon  the  world  were  so 
many  angelical  tongues,  their  praise  would  come 
short  of  the  excess  of  this  love.  Let  the  praise  of 
God  for  this  be  "not  the  business  of  a  day,  but  the 
work  of  our  lives,  since  eternity  is  too  short  to  ad- 
mire it. 


JOHI^  BUNYAN. 

1628-1G88. 
On  Prayer. 

RAYER  is  a  sincere,  sensible,  and  an 
AFFECTIONATE  pouring  out  of  the  soul 
to  God.  O  the  heat,  strength,  life,  vigor, 
and  affection,  that  is  in  right  prayer!  'As 
the  hart  panteth  after  the  water-brooks,  so 
panteth  my  soul  after  Thee,  O  God,'  Psalm  xlii.  1. 
'I  have'longed  after  Thy  precepts,'  Psalm  cxix.  40. 
'I  have  longed  for  Thy  salvation,'  Psalm  xvii.  4. 
'  My  soul  longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth,  for  the  courts 
of  the  Lord ;  my  heart  and  my  flesh  crieth  out 
for  the  living  God,'  Psalm  Ixxxiv.  2.  'My  soul 
breaketh  for  the  longing  that  it  hath  unto  Thy 
judgments  at  all  times,'  Psalm  cxix.  20.  Mark 
ye  here,  '  My  soul  longeth,'  it  longeth,  it  long- 
eth, <fec.  O  what  affection  is  here  discovered  in 
prayer!  The  like  you  have  in  Daniel.  'O  Lord, 
hear;  O  Lord,  forgive;  O  Lord,  hearken  and  do; 
defer  not,  for  Thine  own  sake,  O  my  God,'  Daniel 
ix.  19.  Every  syllable  carrieth  a  mighty  vehemen- 
cy  in  it.  This  is  called  the  fervent,  or  the  work- 
ing prayer,  by  James.  And  so  again,  'And  being 
in   an   agony.  He  prayed   more  earnestly ;'   Luke 


280.  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

xxii.  44;  or  had  His  aflections  more  and  more 
drawn  after  God  for  His  helping  hand.  O  how 
wide  are  the  most  of  men  with  their  prayers  from 
this  prayer,  that  is,  prayer  in  God's  account!  Alas! 
the  greatest  part  of  men  make  no  conscience  at  all 
of  the  duty;  and  as  for  them  that  do,  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  many  of  them  are  very  great  strangers 
to  a  sincere,  sensible,  and  aifectionate  pouring  out 
their  hearts  or  souls  to  God;  but  even  content  them- 
selves with  a  little  lip-labor  and  bodily  exercise, 
mumbling  over  a  few  imaginary  prayers.  When 
the  affections  are  indeed  engaged  in  prayer,  then, 
then  the  whole  man  is  engaged,  and  that  in  such 
sort,  that  the  soul  will  spend  itself  to  nothing,  as  it 
were,  rather  than  it  will  go  without  that  good  de- 
sired, even  communion  and  solace  with  Christ.  And 
hence  it  is  that  the  saints  have  spent  their  strengths, 
and  lost  their  lives,  rather  than  go  without  the  bless- 
ing, Psalm  Ixix.  3;  xxxviii.  9,  10;  Gen.  xxxii.  24,  26. 

Grace  of  Christ. 

THOU  Son  of  the  Blessed,  what  grace  was  mani- 
fest in  Thy  condescension!  Grace  brought  Thee 
down  from  heaven,  grace  stripped  Thee  of  Thy  glory, 
grace  made  Thee  poor  and  despicable,  grace  made 
Thee  bear  such  burdens  of  sin,  such  burdens  of  sor- 
row, such  burdens  of  God's  curse  as  are  unspeakable. 
O  Son  of  God!  grace  was  in  all  Thy  tears,  grace 
came  bubbling  out  of  Thy  side  with  Thy  blood, 
grace  came  forth  with  every  word  of  Thy  sweet 
mouth,  Psalm  xlv.  2;  Luke  iv.  22.     Grace  came  out 


JOHN    BUNYAN.  281 

where  the  whip  smote  Thee,  where  the  thorns 
pricked  Thee,  where  the  nails  and  spear  pierced 
Thee.  O  blessed  Son  of  God!  Here  is  grace  in- 
deed! Unsearchable  riches  of  o-race!  Unthono-ht- 
of  riches  of  grace!  Grace  to  make  angels  wonder, 
grace  to  make  sinners  happy,  grace  to  astonish  dev- 
ils. And  what  Avill  become  of  them  that  trample 
mider  foot  this  Son  of  God? 

Christ  made  Sin  for  us. 

IS  this  indeed  the  truth  of  God,  that  Christ  was 
made  to  be  sin  for  me?  was  made  the  curse  of 
God  for  me?  Hath  He  indeed  borne  all  ni}^  sins, 
and  spilt  His  blood  for  my  redemption!  O  blessed 
tidings!  O  welcome  grace!  'Bless  the  Lord,  O  my 
soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  His  holy  name.' 
Now  is  peace  come;  now  the  face  of  heaven  is  al- 
tered; 'Behold,  all  things  are  become  new.'  Now 
the  sinner  can  abide  God's  presence,  yea,  sees  unut- 
terable glory  and  beauty  in  Him. 

'  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
Himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them.' 
O  what  work  will  such  a  word  make  upon  a  wounded 
conscience,  especially  when  the  next  words  follow: 
'  For  He  hath  made  Him  to  be  sin  for  us,  who  knew 
no  sin,  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteousness  of 
God  in  Him!' 


232  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

CoMmG  TO  God  by  Christ. 

WHAT  a  joy  will  it  be  to  the  truly  godly  to 
think,  now  that  they  are  come  to  God  by 
Christ!  It  was  their  mercy  to  begin  to  come,  it  was 
their  happiness  that  they  continued  comiiig;  but  it 
is  their  glory  that  they  are  come,  that  they  are  come 
to  God  by  Christ.  To  God!  why,  He  is  all!  all  that 
is  good,  essentially  good,  and  eternally  good.  To 
God!  the  infinite  ocean  of  good.  To  God,  in 
friendly- wise,  by  the  means  of  reconciliation;  for  the 
other  now  will  be  come  to  Him  to  receive  His  anger, 
because  they  come  not  to  Him  by  Jesus  Christ. 
Oh!  that  I  could  imagine;  oh!  that  I  could  think, 
that  I  might  write  more  eflfectually  to  Thee  of  the 
happy  estate  of  them  that  come  to  God  by  Christ. 

Christ's  Intercession. 

HIS  intercession  is  for  those  for  wJiom  He  died 
with  fall  intention  to  save  them;  wherefore 
it  must  be  grounded  upon  the  validity  of  His  suffer- 
ings. And,  indeed.  His  intercession  is  nothing  else, 
that  I  know  of,  but  a  presenting  of  what  He  did  in 
the  world  for  us  unto  God,  and  pressing  the  value 
of  it  for  our  salvation.  The  blood  of  sprinkling  is 
that  which  speaketh  meritoriously,  Heb.  xii.  24;  it 
is  by  the  value  of  that  that  God  measureth  out  and 
giveth  unto  us  grace  and  life  eternal;  wherefore 
Christ's  intercessions  also  must  be  ordered  and  ixov- 
erned  by  merit:  '  By  His  own  blood  He  entered  into 
the  hoi}''  place,  having  (l)efore  by  it)  obtained  eter- 
nal redemption  for  us,'  for  our  souls.  Heb.  ix.  12. 


JOHN    BUNYAN.  233 

Now,  if  by  blood  He  entered  in  thitlicr,  by  blood 
He  must  also  make  intercession  there.  His  blood 
made  way  for  His  entrance  thither,  His  blood  must 
make  way  for  our  entrance  thither.  Though  here, 
again,  we  must  beware;  for  His  blood  did  make 
way  for  Him  as  Priest  to  intercede;  His  blood  makes 
way  for  us,  as  for  those  redeemed  by  it,  that  we 
might  be  saved.  This,  then,  shows  sufficiently  the 
worth  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  even  His  ever  living 
to  make  intercession  for  us;  for  the  merit  of  His 
blood  lasts  all  the  while  that  He  doth,  and  for  all 
them  for  whom  He  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession. 
Oh,  precious  blood!  oh,  lasting  merit! 

Giving  Glory  to  Christ. 

CHRIST  ought  to  hear  and  icear  the  glory  of  our 
salvation  forever.  He  has  done  it,  He  has 
Avrought  it  out.  '  Give  unto  the  Lord,  O  ye  kind- 
reds of  the  people,  give  unto  the  Lord  glory  and 
strength.'  Do  not  sacrifice  to  your  own  inventions, 
do  not  give  glory  to  the  work  of  your  own  hands. 
Your  reformations,  your  works,  your  good  deeds, 
and  all  the  glory  of  your  doing,  cast  them  at  the 
feet  of  this  High  Priest,  and  confess  that  glory  be- 
longs unto  Him:  'Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was 
slain,  to  receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and 
strength,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing,  Rev. 
V.  12.  '  And  they  shall  hang  upon  Him  all  the 
glory  of  His  Father's  house,  the  oiFspring  and  the 
issue,  all  vessels  of  small  quantity,  from  the  vessels 
of  cups,  even  to  all  the  vessels  of  flagons,'  Isaiah 


284  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

xxii.  24.  Oh!  the  work  of  our  redemption  by 
Christ  is  such  as  wanteth  not  provocation  to  us  to 
bless,  and  praise,  and  glorify  Jesus  Christ.  Saints, 
set  to  the  work  and  glorify  Him  in  your  body  and 
in  your  souls;  Him  who  has  bought  us  with  a 
price;  and  glorify  God  and  the  Father  by  Him, 
1  Cor.  vi.  20. 

Church  Fellowship. 

THE  doctrine  of  the  Gospel  is  like  the  dew  and 
the  small  rain  that  distilleth  upon  the  tender 
grass,  wherewith  it  doth  flourish,  and  is  kept  green, 
Dent,  xxxii.  2.  Christians  are  like  the  several  flow- 
ers in  a  garden,  that  have  upon  each  of  them  the 
dew  of  heaven,  which  being  shaken  wdth  the  wind, 
they  let  fall  their  dew  at  each  other's  roots,  whereby 
they  are  jointly  nourished,  and  become  nourishers 
of  one  another.  For  Christians  to  commune  sav- 
ourly  of  God's  matters  one  w^ith  another,  it  is  as  if 
they  opened  to  each  other's  nostrils  boxes  of  per- 
fume.* Saith  Paul  to  the  church  at  Rome,  '  I  long 
to  see  you,  that  I  may  impart  unto  you  some  spirit- 
ual gift,  to  the  end  ye  may  be  established;  that  is, 
that  I  may  be  comforted  together  with  you,  by  the 
mutual  faith  both  of  you  and  me,'  Rom.  i,  11,  12. 
Christians  should  be  often  affirmins^  the  doctrine  of 
grace,  and  justification  by  it,  one  to  another. 

*  This  is  a  most  beautiful  passage. — Offor. 


o 


john  bunyan.  285 

Grace. 

GRA.CE,  O  happy  Church  of  God!  all  things 
that  happen  to  thee  are,  for  Christ's  sake,  turned 
into  grace.  They  talk  of  the  philosopher's  stone, 
and  how,  if  one  had  it,  it  would  turn  all  things  into 
o'old.  O!  but  can  it  turn  all  thino^s  into  ofrace? 
can  it  make  all  things  work  together  for  good?  No, 
no,  this  quality,  virtue,  excellency,  what  shall  I  call 
it,  nothing  has  in  it,  but  the  grace  that  reigns  on  the 
throne  of  grace,  the  river  that  proceeds  from  the 
throne  of  God.  This,  this  turns  majesty,  authority, 
the  highest  authority,  glory,  wisdom,  faithfulness, 
justice,  and  all  into  grace.  Here  is  a  throne!  God 
let  us  see  it.  John  had  the  honor  to  see  it,  and  to 
see  the  streams  proceeding  from  it.  O  sweet  sight! 
O  heart-ravishing  sight!  'He  shoAved  me  a  pure 
river  of  water  of  life  proceeding  out  of  the  throne 
of  God.' 

The  Pilgrims  Entering  the  Celestial  City. 

NOW,  when  they  were  come  up  to  the  gate, 
there  was  written  over  it  in  letters  of  ofold, 
'  Blessed  are  they  that  do  His  commandments,  that 
they  may  have  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  may 
enter  in  through  the  gates  into  the  city.'  Kev.  xxii. 
14. 

Then  I  saw  in  my  dream,  that  the  Shining  Men 
bid  them  call  at  the  gate;  the  which,  when  they 
did,  some  looked  from  above  over  the  gate,  to  wit, 
Enoch,  Moses,  and  Elijah,  &c.,  to  whom  it  was  said. 
These  pilgrims  are  come  from  the  City  of  Dcstruc- 


286  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

tioii,  for  the  love  that  they  bear  to  the  King  of  this 
place;  and  then  the  pilgrims  gave  in  unto  them  each 
man  his  certificate,  which  they  had  received  in  the 
beginning;  those,  therefore,  were  carried  in  to  the 
King,  who,  when  He  had  read  them,  said.  Where  are 
the  men?  To  whom  it  was  answered,  They  are 
standing  without  the  gate.  The  King  then  com- 
manded to  open  the  gate,  '  That  the  righteous  na- 
tion,' said  He,  '  which  keepeth  the  truth,  may  enter 
in,'  Is.  xxvi.  2. 

Now  I  saw  in  my  dream  that  these  two  men  went 
in  at  the  gate;  and  lo,  as  they  entered,  they  were 
transfigured,  and  they  had  raiment  put  on  that 
shone  like  gold.  There  were  also  that  met  them 
with  harps  and  crowns,  and  gave  them  to  them  — 
the  harps  to  praise  withal,  and  the  crowns  in  token 
of  honor.  Then  I  heard  in  my  dream  that  all  the 
bells  in  the  city  rang  again  for  joy,  and  that  it  was 
said  unto  them,  '  Exter  ye  into  the  joy  of  your 
Lord.'  I  also  heard  the  men  themselves,  that  they 
sang  with  a   loud  voice,    sa^dng,    '  Blessing,    and 

HONOR,  AND  GLORY,  AND  POWER,  BE  UNTO  HiM  THAT 
SITTETH  upon  the  THRONE  AND  UNTO  THE  LaIHB,  FOR 
EVER  AND  EVER,'  EcV.  V.  13. 

Now  just  as  the  gates  were  opened  to  let  in  the 
men,  I  looked  in  after  them,  and,  behold,  the  City 
shone  like  the  sun;  the  streets  also  were  paved  with 
gold,  and  in  them  walked  many  men,  with  crowns 
on  their  heads,  palms  in  their  hands,  and  golden 
harps  to  sing  praises  withal. 

There  were  also  of  them  that  had  wings,  and  they 


JOHN    BUNYAN.  287 

answered  one  another  without  intermission,  saying, 
'  Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord,'  Rev.  iv.  8.  And 
after  that,  they  shut  up  the  gates;  which,  when  I 
had  seen,  I  Avished  myself  among  them.* 

Last  Words  of  Mr.  Stand-fast. 

WHEN  Mr.  Stand-fast  had  thus  set  things  in 
order,  and  the  time  being  come  for  him  to 
haste  him  away,  he  also  went  down  to  the  river. 
Now  there  was  a  great  calm  at  that  time  in  tlie  river; 
wherefore  Mr.  Stand-fast,  when  he  was  about  half- 
w^ay  in,  stood  a  while  and  talked  to  his  companions 
that  had  waited  upon  him  thither;  and  he  said.  This 
river  has  been  a  terror  to  many;  yea,  the  thoughts 
of  it  also  have  often  frightened  me.  Now,  methinks, 
I  stand  easy,  my  foot  is  fixed  Upon  that  upon  which 
the  feet  of  the  priests  that  bare  the  ark  of  the  cove- 
nant stood,  while  Israel  went  over  this  Jordan,  Jos. 
iii.  17.  The  waters,  indeed,  are  to  the  palate  bitter, 
and  to  the  stomach  cold;  yet  the  thoughts  of  what 
I  am  going  to,  and  of  the  conduct  that  waits  for  me 
on  the  other  side,  doth  lie  as  a  glowiug  coal  at  my 
heart. 

I  see  myself  now  at  the  end  of  my  journey,  my 
toilsome  days  are  ended.  I  am  going  now  to  see 
that  Head  that  Avas  crowned  with  thorns,  and  that 
Face  that  was  spit  upon  for  me. 

I  have  formerly  lived  by  hearsay  and  faith;  but 

*  James  Montgomery  has  justly  characterized  this  Last  paragraph 
of  tlie  first  part  of  tlie  Pilgrim's  Progress  as  '  a  crown  of  glory  to  the 
whole  work.' 


288  -    DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

now  I  go  where  I  shall  live  by  sight,  and  shnll  be 
with  Him  in  whose  company  I  delight  mj^self. 

I  have  loved  to  hear  my  Lord  spoken  of;  and 
wherever  I  have  seen  the  print  of  His  shoe  in  the 
earth,  there  I  have  coveted  to  set  my  foot  too. 

His  name  has  been  to  me  as  a  civet-box;  jqu, 
sweeter  than  all  perfumes.  His  voice  to  me  has 
been  most  sweet;  and  His  countenance  I  have  more 
desired  than  they  that  have  most  desired  the  light 
of  the  sun.  His  word  I  did  use  to  gather  for  my 
food,  and  for  antidotes  against  my  faintings.  '  He 
has  held  me,  and  hath  kept  me  from  mine  iniquities; 
yea,  my  steps  hath  He  strengthened  in  Hjs  way.'* 

Comfort  in  Christ's  Intercession. 
CJ  INCE  Christ  is  an  Intercessor,  I  infer  that  be- 
k3  lievers  should  not  rest  at  the  Cross  for  comfort; 
justification  they  should  look  for  there;  but,  being 
justified  by  His  blood,  they  should  ascend  up  after 
Him  to  the  throne.  At  the  Cross  you  will  see  Him 
in  His  sorrows  and  humiliations,  in  His  tears  and 
blood;  but  follow  Him  to  where  He  is  now,.and  then 
you  shall  see  Him  m  His  robes,  in  His  priestly  robes, 
and  with  His  golden  girdle  about  His  paps.  Then 
you  shall  see  Him  wearing  the  breastplate  of  judg- 
ment, and  with-  all  your  names  written  upon  His 
heart.  Then  you  shall  perceive  that  the  wliole 
family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named  by  Him,  and 
liOAv  He  prevaileth  with  God  the  Father  of  mercies, 

*  '  Tliis  speech  has  been  justly  admired  as  one  of  the  most  striking 
passages  in  the  wJwle  work *'  Pilgrim's  Progress]. — Rev.  Tuos.  Scott, 


JOHN    BUNYAN.  289 

for  3^ou.  Stand  still  awhile  and  listen;  yea,  enter 
with  boldness  into  the  holiest,  and  see  your  Jesus 
as  He  now  appears  in  the  presence  of  God  for  you; 
what  work  He  makes  against  the  devil  and  sin,  and 
death  and  hell,  for  you.  Heb.  x.  9.  Ah  !  it  is  brave 
following  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  holiest,  the  veil  is 
rent,  you  may  see  with  open  face  as  in  a  glass,  the 
glory  of  the  Lord.  This,  then,  is  our  High-Priest, 
this  His  intercession,  these  the  benefits  of  it !  It 
lieth  on  our  part  to  improve  it;  and  wisdom  to  do 
that  also  comes  from  the  mercy-seat,  or  throne  of 
grace,  where  He,  even  our  High  Priest,  ever  liveth 
to  make  intercession  for  us :  to  whom  be  glory  for 
ever  and  ever. 

The  New  Song  m  Glory. 

NOTHING  will  so  edge  the  spirit  of  a  Christian 
as,  '  Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to 
God  by  Thy  blood.'  This  makes  the  heavens  them- 
selves ring  with  joy  and  shouting.  Mark  the  words, 
'  Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by 
Thy  blood,  out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and 
people,  and  nation;  and  hast  made  us  unto  our  God 
kings  and  priests:  and  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth.' 
What  follows  now  ?  '  And  I  beheld,  and  I  heard 
the  voice  of  many  angels  round  about  the  throne,  and 
the  beasts  and  the  elders:  and  the  number  of  them 
was  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand,  and  thousands 
of  thousands;  sajdng  with  a  loud  voice.  Worthy  is 
the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive  power,  and  rich- 
es, and  Avisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor,'  and  glor}^, 

13 


290  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  blessing.  And  every  creature  which  is  in  heav- 
en, and  on  the  earth,  and  under  the  earth,  and  such 
as  are  in  the  sea,  and  all  that  are  in  them,  heard  I 
saying,  Blessing,  and  honor, '  and  glory,  and  power, 
be  unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto 
the  Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever.'     Kev.  v.  9-14. 

Thus  also  is  the  song,  that  new  song  that  is  said 
to  be  sung  by  the  hundred  forty  and  four  thousand 
which  stand  with  the  Lamb  upon  Mount  Sion,  with 
His  Father's  name  written  in  their  foreheads.  These 
are  also  called  harpers,  harping  with  their  harps: 
'And  they  sung  as  it  were  anew  song  before  the 
throne,  and  before  the  four  beasts,  and  the  elders: 
and  no  man  could  learn  that  song  but  the  hundred 
and  forty  and  four  thousand,  which  were  redeemed 
from  the  earth.'     Rev.  xiv.  1-3. 

But  why  could  they  not  learn  that  song  ?  Be- 
cause they  were  not  redeemed:  none  can  sing  of  this 
song  but  the  redeemed;  they  can  give  glory  to  the 
Lamb,  the  Laml)  that  was  slain,  and  that  redeem- 
ed them  to  God  by  His  blood.  It  is  faith  in  His 
blood  on  earth  that  w^ill  make  us  sing  this-  song  in 
heaven.  These  shoutings  and  heavenly  songs  must 
needs  come  from  love  put  into  a  flame  by  the  suflTer- 
ings  of  Christ. 


JOHN  TILLOTSON,  D.  J). 
1630-1694. 

Eternal  Happiness. 

'HIS  happiness   shall  be  eternal;   and 
though  this  be  but  a  circumstance  and 
do  not  enter  into  the  nature  of  our  happi- 
ness, yet  it  is  so  material  a  one  that  all  the 
felicities  which  heaven  affords  would  be  im- 
perfect without  it.     It  would  strangely  damp  and 
allay  all  our  joys  to  think  that  they  should  some  time 
have  an  end;   and  the  greater  our  happiness  were, 
the  greater  trouble  it  would  be  to  us  to  consider 
that   it  must   have   a  period.      It  would   make  a 
man  sorrowful  indeed  to  think  of  leaving  such  vast 
possessions.      Indeed,   if  the  happiness   of  heav- 
en were   such  as   the  joys  of  this   world  are,   it 
were  fit  they  should  be  as  short,  for  after  a  little 
enjoyment,  it  would  cloy  us  and  we  should  soon 
grow  weary  of  it ;  but  being  so  excellent,  it  would 
scarce  be  a  happiness  if  it  were  not  eternal.     It 
would  embitter  the  pleasures  of  heaven,  as  great 
as  they  are,  to  see  to  an  end  of  them,  though  it 
were  at  never   so  great  a   distance;   to   consider 
that  all  this  vast  treasure  of  happiness  would  one 
day  be  exhausted,  and  that  after  so  many  years 


292  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

were  past,  we  should  be  as  poor  and  miserable  again 
as  we  were  once  in  this  world.  God  hath  so  ordered 
things,  that  the  vain  and  empty  delights  of  this  world 
should  be  temporary  and  transient,  but  that  the  great 
and  substantial  pleasures  of  the  other  world  should 
be  as  lasting  as  they  are  excellent ;  for  heaven,  as  it 
is  an  exceeding,  so  it  is  an  eternal  weight  of  glory. 
And  this  is  that  which  crowns  the  joys  of  heaven,  and 
banishes  all  fear  and  trouble  from  the  minds  of  the 
blessed ;  and  thus  to  be  secured  in  the  possession  of 
our  happiness  is  an  unspeakable  addition  to  it.  For 
that  which  is  eternal,  as  it  shall  never  determine,  so 
it  can  never  be  diminished  ;  for  to  be  diminished  and 
to  decay  is  to  draw  nearer  to  an  end,  but  that  which 
shall  never  have  an  end  can  liever  come  nearer  to  it. 
O  vast  eternity !  how  dost  thou  swallow  up  our 
thouo-hts  and  entertain  us  at  once  with  delis: lit  and 
amazement.  This  is  the  very  top  and  highest  pitch 
of  our  happiness,  upon  which  we  may  stand  secure 
and  look  down  with  scorn  upon  all  things  here  be- 
low ;  and  how  small  and  inconsiderable  do  they 
appear  to  us,  compared  with  the  vast  and  "endless 
enjoyments  of  our  future  state.  But  oh,  vain  and 
foolish  souls,  that  are  so  little  concerned  for  eternity, 
that  for  the  trifles  of  time,  and  '  the  pleasures  of  sin 
which  are  but  for  a  season,'  can  find  in  our  hearts  to 
forfeit  an  everlasting  felicity  !  Blessed  God  !  why 
hast  Thou  prepared  such  a  happiness  for  those  who 
neither  consider  it,  nor  seek  after  it  ?  '  Why  is  such 
a  price  put  into  the  hands  of  fools,  who  have  no  heart 
to  make  use  of  it ;'  who  fondly  choose  to  gratify 


JOHN    TILLOTSON.  293 

their  lusts,  rather  than  to  save  their  souls,  and  sot- 
tishly  prefer  the  temporary  enjoy meuts  of  sin  l^efore 
a  blessed  immortality  ? 

Glorified  Bodies  of  the  Righteous. 

I^HE  consideration  of  the  glorious  change  of  our 
bodies  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just,  cannot 
but  be  a  great  comfort  to  us,  under  all  bodily  pain 
and  sufferinofs. 

For  these  vile  bodies  shall  he  changed,  and  fash- 
ioned like  to  the  glorious  body  of  the  Son  of  God. 
When  our  bodies  shall  be  raised  to  a  new  life,  they 
shall  become  incorruptible  ;  for  this  corruj)tible  must 
put  on  incorrujjtion,  and  this  mortal  must  jput  on  im- 
mortality;  and  then  shall  come  to  jpass  the  saying  that 
is  Vjritten,  death  is  swallowed  ujp  in  victory.  When 
this  last  enemy  is  conquered,  there  shall  be  wo  fleshly 
lusts,  nor  brutish  passions,  to  fght  against  the  soul ; 
no  laiv  in  our  members,  to  ivar  against  the  law  of  our 
mind;  no  disease  to  torment  us,  no  danger  of  death 
to  amaze  and  terrify  us.  Then  all  the  passions  and 
appetites  of  our  outward  man  shall  be  subject  to  the 
reason  of  our  minds,  and  our  bodies  shall  partake  of 
the  immortality  of  our  souls.  It  is  but  a  very  little 
while,  that  our  spirits  shall  be  crushed,  and  clogged 
with  these  heavy  and  sluggish  bodies  ;  at  the  resur- 
rection they  shall  be  refined  from  all  dregs  of  cor- 
ruption, and  become  spiritual,  and  incorruptible,  and 
glorious,  and  every  way  suited  to  the  activity  and 
perfection  of  a  glorified  soul,  and  the  spirits  of  just 
men  made  j^erfect. 


294  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Earthly  and  Heavenly  Joys. 

IN  our  pursuit  of  the  things  of  this  world,  we 
usually  prevent  enjoyment,  by  expectation  ;  we 
anticipate  our  own  happiness,  and  eat  out  the  heart 
and  sweetness  of  worldly  pleasures,  by  delightful 
forethouo-hts  of  them;  so  that  when  we  come  to 
possess  them  they  do  not  answer  the  expectation,  nor 
satisfy  the  desires  which  were  raised  about  them,  and 
they  vanish  into  nothing  :  but  the  things  which  are 
above,  are  so  great,  so  solid,  so  durable,  so  glorious, 
that  we  cannot  raise  our  thoughts  to  an  equal  height 
with  them  ;  we  cannot  enlarge  our  desires  beyond  a 
possibility  of  satisfaction.  Our  hearts  are  greater 
than  the  world  ;  but  God  is  greater  than  our  hearts  : 
and  the  happiness  which  He  hath  laid  up  for  us,  is, 
like  Himself,  incomprehensibly  great  and  glorious. 
Let  the  thoughts  of  this  raise  us  above  this  world, 
and  inspire  us  with  greater  thoughts  and  designs, 
than  tlie  care  and  concernments  of  this  present  life. 
We  all  profess  most  firmly  to  believe,  that  after  a 
few  days  we  shall  leave  this  world,  and  all  the  enjoy- 
ments of  it,  and  go  to  the  place  from  whence  we 
shall  not  return  ;  that  we  shall  enter  upon  an  un- 
changeable state  of  happiness  or  misery,  according 
as  we  have  demeaned  ourselves  in  this  present  life  ; 
that  great  care  and  diligence  is  necessary  to  ivorl:  oid 
our  otvn  salvation;  that  there  must  be  a  great  pre- 
paration of  ourselves,  by  unspotted  purity  of  heart 
and  life,  to  make  ourselves  meet  for  an  inheritance 
with  them  that  are  sanctified;  that  we  must  lahor^  and 
strive^  and  run,  and  fight,  and  give  all  diligence  to 


JOHN    TILLOTSON.  295 

make  our  calling  and  election  sure;  that  we  had  need 
to  watch  and  jpray  always,  that  ive  may  he  accounted 
luorthy  to  escape  the  judgment  of  the  great  day,  and  to 
stand  before  the  Son  of  Man.  Such  thoughts  as  these 
should  continually  possess  our  souls,  and  heaven 
should  be  always  in  our  eye,  as  if,  with  Stephen, 
we  saw  the  heavens  ojpened,  and  Jesus  standing  at  the 
right  hand  of  God,  to  see  how  we  behave  ourselves 
here  below,  and  when  ive  have  fought  a  good  fight, 
and  finished  our  course,  and  kept  the  faith,  to  receive 
us  to  Himself,  that  where  He  is,  there  ive  may  he  also. 

Eesurrection  of  Christ. 

ry^HE  resurrection  of  Christ  is  a  demonstration  of 
J-  a  future  state  after  this  life,  and  a  pledge  of  a 
blessed  immortality  in  another  world.  For  our 
Lord,  by  his  resurrection  from  the  dead,  hath  con- 
quered death,  and  abolished  it,  and  brought  life  and 
immortality  to  light.  He  is  the  first  fruits  of  them 
that  ts/ep^,and  His  resurrection  is  an  earnest  and  assur- 
ance of  ours ;  and  from  thence  the  apostle  makes 
this  inference,  Therefore,  'my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye 
steadfast  and  unmoveahle,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord;  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your 
labor  shall  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  The  belief 
of  a  future  state  after  this  life  should  put  us  upon 
the  most  earnest  and  vigorous  endeavors  to  secure 
this  happy  condition  to  ourselves  ;  if  by  any  means^ 
as  the  apostle  expresseth  it,  we  may  attain  the  resur- 
rection of  the  dead.     It  should  raise  us  above  the 


296  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

world  and  the  lusts  of  it,  above  all  the  terrors  and 
temptations  of  it. 

Excellency  of  Heavenly  Things. 

THE  transcendent  and  incomparable  excellency 
of  heavenly  things  above  things  on  the  earth, 
the  apostle  intimates  by  the  opposition,  set  your  af- 
fections on  things  above;  not  on  things  on  the  eartJi. 
Earthly  things  are  perishing  and  transitory,  gross 
and  unsatisfactory,  and  cannot  be  the  felicity  of  an 
immortal  soul,  being  neither  suited  to  the  spiritual 
nature,  nor  to  the  immortal  duration  of  our  souls  ; 
they  can  neither  satisfy  us  while  we  live,  nor  preserve 
us  from  death,  nor  comfort  us  in  it,  nor  accompany 
us  into  the  other  world,  nor  contribute  any  thing  to 
our  happiness  there  ;  and  if  they  can  do  nothing  to- 
ward our  happiness,  why  should  we  set  our  hearts 
upon  them  ?  They  that  seek  for  happiness  in  earthly 
thino:s,  are  like  the  women  sittins:  over  our  Saviour's 
sepulchre  with  their  faces  bowed  down  to  the  earth  ; 
they  seeh  the  living  among  the  dead;  our  happiness 
is  not  here,  it  is  risen,  it  is  above.  Let  our.  hearts 
ascend  thither,  where  our  happiness  and  our  treasure 
is.  Why  should  we  bestow  our  affections  upon  those 
low  and  mean  things,  when  there  are  incomparably 
better  objects  to  fix  them  upon  ? 

The  inference  from  all  this  shall  be  to  engage  and 
persuade  us  by  all  these  arguments  and  considera- 
tions, to  seeh  and  mind  the  things  which  ore  above, 
Inhere  Christ  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God;  and  to 
have  our  conversation  there,  inhere  our  Saviour  isj 


JOHN    TILLOTSON.  297 

and  from  whence  also  ive  look  for  Him  again :  to 
change  these  vile  bodies^  that  they  may  be  made  like 
unto  His  glorious  body^  according  to  the  working  of 
that  mighty  j)02ver,  whereby  He  is  able  to  subdue  all 
things  to  Himself.  Let  all  our  actions  have  relation 
to  another  world,  and  our  conversation  declare,  that 
we  are  mindful  of  another  country^  that  is,  a  heavenly. 
Is  Christ  our  Head  risen  and  ascended  into  heaven  ? 
Let  us  in  our  hearts  and  aflections  follow  Him  thither, 
and  patiently  wait  till  He  receive  our  souls,  and  raise 
our  bodies,  and  take  us  wholly  to  Himself,  that  we 
may  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord. 


13 


Q^- 


ISAAC  BAEROW,  D.  D. 
1630-1705. 

Duty  of  Thanksgiving. 

HIS  is  a  most  sweet  and  delightful 
duty.  Praise  the  Lord^  saitli  the  most 
experienced  psalmist, /or  the  Lord  is  good; 
sing  praises  to  his  name,  for  it  is  p)l^<^sant: 
and  otherwhere,  Praise  the  Lord,  for  it 
is  good  to  sing  praises  to  our  God;  for  it  is  pleasant, 
and  praise  is  comely,  Psalm  cxxxv.  3 ;  cxlvii.  1 ; 
ix.  1.  The  performance  of  this  duty,  as  it  espe- 
cially proceeds  from  good  humor,  and  a  cheerful 
disposition  of  mind;  so  it  feeds  and  foments  them; 
both  root  and  fruit  thereof  are  hugely  sweet  and 
sapid.  Whence  St.  James :  If  any  man  he  afflicted, 
let  him  prafj ;  is  any  merry,  let  him  sing  psalms, 
James  v.  13.  Pscdms,  the  proper  matter  of  which 
is  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

Other  duties  of  devotion  have  something  labo- 
rious in  them,  something  disgustful  to  our  sense. 
Prayer  minds  us  of  our  wants  and  imperfections; 
confession  induces  a  sad  remembrance  of  our  mis- 
deeds and  bad  deserts :  but  thanksgiving  includes 


ISAAC    BAHROW.  299 

nothing    uneasy    or    unpleasant;    nothing   but   the 
memory  and  sense  of  exceeding  goodness. 

Ail  love  is  sweet;  but  that  especially  which 
arises,  not  from  a  bare  apprehension  only  of  the 
object's  worth  and  dignity,  but  from  a  feeling  of  its 
sinofular  beneficence  and  usefulness  unto  us.  And 
what  thou2:ht  can  enter  into  the  heart  of  man  more 
comfortable  and  delicious  than  this,  that  the  great 
Master  of  all  things,  the  most  wise  and  mighty  King 
of  heaven  and  earth,  hath  entertained  a  gracious 
regard,  hath  expressed  a  real  kindness  towards  us? 
that  we  are  in  capacity  to  honor,  to  please,  to  pre- 
sent an  acceptable  sacrifice  to  Him  who  can  render 
us  perfectly  happy?  that  we  are  admitted  to  the 
practice  of  that  wherein  the  supreme  joy  of  para- 
dise, and  the  perfection  of  angelical  bliss,  consists? 
For  praise  and  thanksgiving  are  the  most  delectable 
business  of  heaven;  and  God  grant  they  may  be 
our  greatest  delight,  our  most  frequent  employment 
upon  earth! 

Now  the  blessed  Fountain  of  all  goodness  and 
mercy  inspire  our  hearts  with  His  heavenly  grace, 
and  thereby  enable  us  rightly  to  apprehend,  dili- 
gently to  consider,  faithfully  to  remember,  worthily 
to  esteem,  to  be  heartily  affected  with,  to  render  all 
due  acknowledgment,  praise,  love,  and  thankful 
obedience  for  all  His  (infinitely  great  and  innumer- 
ably many)  favors,  mercies,  and  benefits  freely  con- 
ferred upon  us:  and  let  us  say  with  David,  'Blessed 
be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  who  only  doth  wondrous 
things:  and  blessed  be  His  glorious  name  forever; 


300  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  His  glory. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  from  everlastins: 
to  everlasting:  and  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen. 
Psalm  Ixxii.  18,  19;  cvi.  48. 

Imitation  of  Cheist. 

IF  any  earnest  desire  of  happiness,  any  high  esteem 
of  virtue,  any  true  affection  to  genuine  sanctity, 
do  lodge  in  our  breasts,  we  should  apply  this  most 
excellent  means  of  attaining  them;  the  study  and 
endeavor  of  imitating  the  life  of  our  Lord.  If  we 
have  in  us  any  truth  and  sincerity,  and  do  not  vainl}^ 
prevaricate  in  our  profession  of  being  Christ's  disci- 
ples and  votaries  of  that  most  holy  institution,  let  us 
manifest  it  by  a  real  conformity  to  the  practice  of 
Him  who  is  our  Master  and  Author  of  our  faith.  If 
we  have  in  us  any  wisdom  or  sober  consideration  of 
tilings,  let  us  employ  it  in  following  the  steps  of  that 
infallible  Guide,  designed  by  heaven  to  lead  us  in 
the  straight,  even  and  pleasant  ways  of  righteous- 
ness, unto  the  possession  of  everlasting  bliss.  If  we 
do  verily  like  and  approve  the  practice  of  -Christ, 
and  are  affected  with  the  innocent,  sweet  and  lovely 
comeliness  thereof,  let  us  declare  such  our  mind  by 
a  sedulous  care  to  resemble  it.  If  we  bear  any  honor 
and  reverence,  any  love  and  affection  to  Christ;  if 
we  are  at  all  sensible  of  our  relations,  our  manifold 
obligations,  our  duties  to  our  great  Lord,  our  best 
Friend,  our  most  gracious  Redeemer;  let  us  testify 
it  by  a  zealous  care  to  become  like  to  Him :  let  a 
lively  image  of  His  most  righteous   and    innocent, 


ISAAC   BArvROW.  301 

most  holy  and  pious,  most  pure  and  spotless  life  be 
ever  present  to  our  fancies;  so  as  to  inform  our  judg- 
ments, to  excite  our  affections,  to  quicken  our  en- 
deavors, to  regulate  our  purposes,  to  correct  our 
mistakes,  to  direct,  amend  and  sanctify  our  whole 
lives.  Let  us,  with  incessant  diligence  of  study, 
meditate  upon  the  best  of  histories,  wherein  the 
tenor  of  His  divine  practice  is  represented  to  us;  re- 
volving frequently  in  our  thoughts  all  the  most  con- 
siderable passages  thereof,  entertainiug  them  with 
devout  passions,  impressing  them  in  our  memories, 
and  striving  to  express  them  in  our  conversations: 
let  us  endeavor  continually  to  walk  in  the  steps  of 
our  Lord,  and  to  folloio  the  Lamb  ivithersoever  He 
goeth;  which  that  we  may  be  able  to  do,  do  Thou, 
O  blessed  Eedeemer,  draw  us;  draw  us  by  the  cords 
of  Thy  love;  draw  us  by  the  sense  of  Thy  goodness; 
draw  us  by  the  incomparable  worth  and  excellency 
of  Thy  person;  draw  us  by  the  unspotted  purity  and 
beauty  of  Thy  example:  draw  us  by  the  merit  of 
Thy  precious  death,  and  by  the  power  of  Thy  Holy 
Spirit;  draio  us,  good  Lord,  and  loe  shall  run  after 
Thee.     Amen. 

Almighty  God,  who  hast  given  Thine  only  Son  to 
ha  unto  us  both  a  sacrifice  for  sin  and  also  an  on- 
sample  of  godly  life;  give  us  grace,  that  we  may 
always  most  thankfully  receive  that  His  inestimable 
benefit;  and  also  daily  endeavor  ourselves  to  follow 
the  blessed  steps  of  His  most  holy  life,  through  the 
same  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


302  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Consolation  in  Affliction. 

AS  it  may  debase  and  imbitter  all  the  prosperity 
ill  the  world,  to  consider  that  it  is  very  fading 
and  short-lived;  that  its  splendour  is  but  a  blaze,  its 
pleasure  but  a  flash,  its  joy  but  as  the  cracking  of  ^ 
thorns;  so  it  should  abate  and  sweeten  any  adversity, 
to  remember  that  it  is  passing  away,  and  suddenly 
will  be  gone.  Put,  I  say,  the  worst  case  that  can 
be:  that  it  were  certainly  determined,  and  we  did  as 
certainly  know  it,  that  those  things  which  cause 
our  displeasure  should  continue  through  our  whole 
life;  yet  since  our  life  itself  will  soon  be  spun  out, 
and  with  it  all  our  worldly  evils  will  vanish,  why  are 
we  troubled?  What  is  said  of  ourselves,  must  in 
consequence  be  truly  applied  to  them:  They  flee  like 
a  shadow  and  continue  not:  they  are  winds  passing 
and  coming  not  again;  they  are  valors  ajppearing 
^or  a  little  time  and  then  vanishing  away;  they 
loither  like  grass  and  fade  aioay  as  a  leaf ;  they  may 
die  before  us,  they  cannot  outlive  us;  our  life  is  but 
a  handhreadth:  and  can  then  our  evils  have  any  vast 
bulk?  Our  age.  is  as  nothing,  and  can  any  "crosses 
therein  be  then  any  great  matter?  How  can  any- 
thing so  very  short  be  very  intolerable? 

We  have  but  a  very  narrow  strait  of  time  to  pass 
over,  but  w^e  shall  land  on  the  firm  and  vast  continent 
of  eternity;  when  we  shall  be  freed  from  all  the  trou- 
blesome agitations,  from  all  the  perilous  storms,  from 
all  the  nauseous  qualms  of  this  navigation;  death 
(which  maybe  very  near,  which  cannot  be  far  off )  is  a 
sure  haven  from  all  the  tempests  of  life,  a  safe  refuge 


ISAAC    BAllROW.  303 

from  all  the  persecutions  of  the  world,  an  infallible 
medicine  of  all  the  diseases  of  our  mind  and  of  our 
state :  it  will  enlarge  us  from  all  restraints,  it  will  dis- 
charge all  our  debts,  it  will  ease  us  from  all  our  toils, 
it  will  stifle  all  our  cares,  it  will  veil  all  our  dis- 
graces; it  will  still  all  our  complaints  and  bury  all 
our  disquiets;  it  will  wipe  all  tears  from  our  eyes 
and  banish  all  sorrow  from  our  hearts:  it  perfectly 
will  level  all  conditions,  setting  the  high  and  low, 
the  rich  and  poor,  the  wise  and  ignorant  altogether 
upon  even  ground;  smothering  all  the  pomp  and 
glories,  swallowing  all  the  wealth  and  treasures  of 
the  world. 

It  is  therefore  but  holding  out  a  while,  and  all  our 
molestation,  of  its  own  accord,  w^ill  expire :  time  cer- 
tainly will  cure  us,  but  it  is  better  that  we  should 
owe  that  benefit  to  reason,  and  let  it  presently  com- 
fort us:  it  is  better,  by  rational  consideration,  to 
work  content  in  ourselves,  using  the  brevity  and 
frailty  of  our  life  as  an  argument  to  sustain  us  in  our 
adversity,  than  only  to  find  the  end  thereof  as  a 
natural  and  necessary  means  of  evasion  from  it. 

Our  Life. 

THE  Scripture  aptly  resembles  our  life  to  a  way- 
faring, a  condition  of  travel  and  pilgrimage:  now 
he  that  hath  a  long  journey  to  make,  and  but  a  little 
time  of  day  to  pass  it  in,  must  in  reason  strive  to  set 
out  soon  and  then  to  make  good  speed;  must  pro- 
ceed on  directly,  making  no  stops  or  deflections  (not 
calling  in  at  every  sign  that  invites   him,  not  stand- 


30-1  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ing  to  gaze  at  every  object  seeming  new  or  strange 
to  him;  not  staying  to  talk  with  every  passenger 
that  meets  him;  but  rather  avoiding  all  occasions  of 
diversion  and  delay),  lest  he  be  surprised  by  the 
night,  be  left  to  wander  in  the  dark,  be  excluded 
finally  from  the  place  whither  he  tends:  so  must  we, 
in  our  course  toward  heaven  and  happiness,  take  care 
that  we  set  out  soon  (procrastinating  no  time,  but 
beginning  instantly  to  insist  in  the  ways  of  piety  and 
virtue),  then  proceed  on  speedily  and  persist  con- 
stantly; nowhere  staying  or  loitering,  shunning  all 
impediments  and  avocations  from  our  progress,  lest 
we  never  arrive  near  or  come  too  late  imto  the  gate 
of  heaven.  St.  Peter  tells  us  that  the  end  of  all 
things  doth  approach,  and  thereupon  ad^ases  us  to 
he  sober  and  to  loatcli  unto  prayer;  for  that  the  less 
our  time  is,  the  more  intent  and  industrious  it  con- 
cerns us  to  be.  And  St.  Paul  enjoins  us  to  redeem 
the  timehecause  the  days  are  evil;  that  is,  since  we  can 
enjoy  no  true  quiet  or  comfort  here,  we  should  im- 
prove our  time  to  the  best  advantage  for  the  future: 
he  might  have  also  adjoined,  with  the  patriarch 
Jacob,  the  paucity  of  the  days  to  their  badness;  be- 
cause the  days  of  our  life  are  feiu  and  evil,  let  us 
redeem  the  time;  man  that  is  horn  of  a  ivoman  is 
of  few  days  and  full  of  trouhle:  so  few  indeed  they 
are  that  it  is  fit  we  should  lose  none  of  them,  but 
use  them  all  in  preparation  toward  that  great  change 
we  are  to  make:  that  fatal  passage  out  of  this  strait 
time  into  that  boundless  eternity.  So,  it  seems,  we 
have  Job's  example  of  doing:  All  the  days  (says  he) 


ISAAC    BARROW.  305 

of  my  appointed  time  will  I  ivait^  till  my  change 
come.  I  end  this  point  with  that  so  comprehensive 
warning  of  our  Saviour:  Take  heed  to  yourselves^ 
lest  at  any  time  your  hearts  be  overcharged  with  sur- 
feiting and  drunkenness  and  cares  of  this  life,  and  so 
that  day  come  upton  you  unawares.  Watch  ye  there- 
fore and  j)roy,  that  ye  may  be  counted  ivorthy  to 
escape — ajid  to  stand  before  the  Son  of  man. 

Incarnation  of  Christ. 

THE  power  of  God  doth  brightly  shine  in  the 
creation,  the  wisdom  of  God  may  clearly  be 
discerned  in  the  government  of  things:  but  the  in- 
carnation of  God  is  that  work,  is  that  dispensation 
of  grace,  wherein  the  divine  goodness  doth  most 
conspicuously  display  itself.  How  indeed  possibly 
could  God  have  demonstrated  a  greater  excess  of 
kindness  toward  us,  than  by  thus,  for  our  sake  and 
good,  sending  His  dearest  Son  out  of  His  bosom  into 
this  sordid  and  servile  state,  subjecting  Him  to  all 
the  infirmities  of  our  frail  nature,  exposing  Him  to 
the  worst  inconveniences  of  our  low  condition? 
What  expressions  can  signify,  what  comparisons  can 
set  out,  the  stupendous  vastness  of  this  kindness? 
Psalm  xxxvi.  6;  cviii.  4.  If  we  should  imagine,  that 
a  great  prince  should  put  his  only  son  (a  son  most 
lovely,  and  worthily  most  beloved)  into  rags,  should 
dismiss  him  from  his  court,  should  yield  him  up 
into  the  hardest  slavery,  merely  to  the  intent  that 
he  thereby  might  redeem  from  captivity  the  mean- 
est and  basest  of  his  subjects,  how  faint  a  resem- 


306  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

blance  would  this  be  of  that  immense  goodness,  of 
that  incomparable  mercy,  which  in  this  instance  the 
Kino;  of  all  the  world  hath  declared  toward  us  His 
poor  vassals,  His  indeed  unworthy  rebels! 

The  Great  Physicia];^. 

IS  an  overture  of  health  acceptable  to  sick  and 
languishing  persons?  Luke  x.  33;  Matt.  ix. 
12.  Behold,  the  great  Physician,  endued  with  ad- 
mirable skill,  and  furnished  with  infallible  remedies, 
is  come  to  cure  ns  of  our  maladies,  and  ease  us  of 
our  pains,  1  Pet.  ii,  24;  to  bind  up  our  wounds,  and 
to  pour  in  balm  (the  most  sovereign  balm  of  His  own 
blood)  into  them;  to  free  us,  not  only  from  all  mor- 
tiferous  diseases,  but  from  mortality  itself:  He  who 
was  sent  to  hind  U2:)  and  heal  the  broken  hearted;  Ho 
who  Himself  took  our  infirmities^  and  hear  our  sick- 
ness^ Isa.  Ixi.  1;  Luke  iv.  18;  Isa.  liii.  4;  Matt.  viii. 
17;  He  of  whom  the  prophet  (in  relation  to  corporal, 
and  much  more  to  spiritual  infirmities)  did  foretell; 
God  ivill  come  and  save  you:  then  the  eyes  of  the 
hlind  shall  he  opened,  and  the  ears  of  the  deaf  shall 
he  unstopped;  then  shall  the  lame  7nan  leap  as  an 
hart,  and  the  tongue  of  the  dmnh  shall  sing,  Isaiah 
XXXV.  4,  5,  6;  Matt.  xi.  5;  Luke  v.  17.  He,  whose  art 
no  disease  can  resist,  who  is  able  to  cure  our  most  des- 
perate, our  most  inveterate  distempers;  to  heal  the 
corruption  and  impotency  of  our  nature,  to  void  the 
is^norances  and  errors  of  our  understandinc:,  to  cor- 
rect  the  stupidity  of  our  hearts,  the  perverseness  of 
our  wills,  the  disorder  of  our  affections,  to  mitigate 


ISAAC    BAKKOW.  307 

our  auguiwli  of  conscience,  and  cleanse  our  sores  of 
guilt,  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26;  Eph.  ii.  10:  by  various  effi- 
cacious medicines,  by  the  wholesome  instructions  of 
His  doctrine,  by  the  powerful  inspirations  of  His 
grace,  by  the  refreshing  comforts  of  His  Spirit,  l^y 
the  salutary  virtue  of  His  merits  and  sufferings. 

Resurrection^  of  Christ. 

THE  contemplation  of  this  point  should  elevate 
our  thoughts  and  affections  unto  heaven  and 
heavenly  things,  above  the  sordid  pleasures,  the 
fading  glories,  and  the  unstable  possessions  of  this 
world;  for  Him  ive  should  folloio  ivJdthersoever  He 
goetJi;  rising  with  Him  not  only  from  all  sinful  de- 
sires, but  from  all  inferior  concernments,  soaring 
after  Him  in  the  contemplations  of  our  mind  and 
affections  of  our  heart;  that  although  we  are  absent 
from  the  Lord  in  the  body^  Ave  may  be  present  with 
Him  in  spirit,  having  our  conversation  in  heaven,  and 
our  heart  there,  where  our  treasure  is,  Rev.  xiv.  4; 
Eph.  ii.  6;  2  Cor.  v.  6;  Phil.  i.  23;  iii.  20;  Matt, 
vi.  21;  for  if  our  souls  do  still  grovel  on  the  earth, 
if  they  be  closely  affixed  to  worldly  interests,  deeply 
immersed  in  sensual  delights,  utterly  enslaved  to 
corruption,  we  do  not  partake  of  our  Lord's  resur- 
rection, being  quite  severed  from  His  living  body, 
and  continuino^  in  vast  distance  from  Him:  I  shall 
therefore  conclude,  recommending  that  admonition 
of  St.  Paul:  If  ye  then  he  risen  with  Christ,  seek 
those  things  which  are  above,  xohere  Christ  sitteth  on 
the  right  hand  of  God:  set  your  affections  on  things 


308  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

above,  not  on  tilings  on  the  earth:  for  you  are  dead, 
and  your  life  is  hid  loith  Christ  in  God;  that  ichen 
Christ,  ivho  is  our  life,,  shall  aj^jpear,  then  ye  may 
also  ajppear  with  Him  in  glory.  Amen.  2  Pet.  ii. 
19;  Eom.  viii.  21;  Gal.  vi.  8;  Eev.  iii.  1;  1  Tim.  y. 
6;   Col.  iii.  1-4. 

Our  Saviour's  Ascension  and  Glorification. 

THE  consideration  of  these  points  should  elevate 
our  thou2:hts  and  affections  from  these  inferior 
things  here  (the  vain  and  base  things  of  this  world) 
unto  heavenly  things;  according  to  that  of  St.  Paul, 
If  ye  he  risen  icith  CJtrist,  seeh  the  things  above, 
ivhere  Christ  is  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  Co], 
iii.  1.  To  the  Head  of  our  body  we  should  be  joined; 
continually  deriving  sense  and  motion,  direction  and 
activity  from  Him;  where  the  Master  of  our  family 
is,  there  should  our  minds  be,  constantly  attentive 
to  His  pleasure,  and  ready  to  serve  Hini;  where  the 
city  is,  whose  denizens  Ave  are,  and  where  our  final 
rest  must  be,  there  should  our  thoughts  be,  careful 
to  observe  the  laws  and  orders,  that  we  may  enjoy 
the  immunities  and  privileges  thereof;  in  that  coun- 
try where  only  we  have  any  good  estate,  or  valuable 
concernment,  there  our  mind  should  be,  studjdng  to 
secure  and  improve  our  interest  therein,  Heb.  xi.  16; 
our  resolution  should  be  conformable  to  that  of  the 
holy  psalmist,  /  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  to  the  hills, 
from  whence  cometh  my  help.  Christ  is  our  life^ 
saith  St.  Paul;  and  shall  our  souls  be  parted  from 
our  life?  Christ,  saith  he  again,  is  our  hope;  and 


ISAAC   BAEROW.  309 

shall  our  mind  and  hope  be  asunder?  Psalm  exxi.  1; 
Col.  iii.  4;  Gal.  ii.  20;  1  Tim.  i.  1;  Col.  i.  27.  Christ 
is  the  principal  object  of  our  love,  of  our  trust,  of 
our  joy,  of  all  our  best  affections;  and  shall  our 
affections  be  severed  from  their  best  objects?  By  His 
being  in  heaven,  all  our  treasure  becometh  there; 
and  where  our  treasure  is,  there  (if  we  apprehend, 
and  believe  rightly,  there  naturally)  our  hearts  ivill 
be  also:  if  they  be  not,  it  is  a  sign  we  take  Him  not 
for  our  best  treasure.  We  do  in  our  bodies  sojourn 
from  the  Lord,  as  St.  Paul  saith;  but  in  our  spirits 
we  may  and  should  be  ever  present,  ever  conversant 
with  Him,  2  Cor.  v.  6;  contemplating  Him  with  an 
eye  of  faith,  fastening  our  love  upon  Him,  reposing 
our  confidence  in  Him,  directing  our  prayers  and 
thanksgivings  to  Him;  meditating  upon  His  good 
laws,  His  gracious  promises,  His  holy  life,  and  His 
merciful  performances  for  us.  We  should  not,  hy 
fixing  our  hearts  and  desires  upon  earthly  things 
(upon  the  vain  delights,  the  sordid  interests,  the 
fallacious  and  empty  glories,  the  sinful  enjoyments 
here),  nor  by  a  dull  and  careless  neglect  of  heavenly 
things,  avert,  estrange,  or  separate  ourselves  wholly 
from  Him.  No  :  let  us,  unloosing  our  hearts  from 
these  things,  and  with  them  soaring  upAvard,  follow 
and  adhere  to  our  Lord;  so  shall  we  anticipate 
that  blessed  future  state,  so  shall  we  assure  to  our- 
selves the  possession  of  heaven,  so  here  enjoying 
our  Lord  in  affection,  we  shall  hereafter  obtain  a 
perfect  fruition  of  His  glorious  and  blissful  pres- 
ence:   the  which,  God  of  His  mercy  1)y  His  grace 


310  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

vouchsafe  us,  through  the  same  our  ever  blessed 
Saviour^  to  whom  be  for  ever  all  glory  and  praise. 
Ameu. 

O  God,  the  King  of  glory,  who  hast  exalted  Thine 
own  Son  Jesus  Christ,  with  great  triumph  unto  Thy 
kinofdom  in  heaven,  we  beseech  Thee  leave  us  not 
comfortless,  but  send  Thine  Holy  Ghost  to  comfort 
us,  and  exalt  us  to  the  same  place,  whither  our 
Saviour  Christ  is  gone  before;  who  liveth  and  reign- 
eth  with  Thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one  God,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 

The  Life  Everlasting. 

WHAT  is  the  state  of  life?  it  is  a  state  of  high- 
est dignity  and  glory;  of  sweetest  comfort 
and  joy;  of  joy  full  in  measure,  pure  in  quality, 
perpetual  in  duration,  in  all  respects  perfect  in  the 
utmost  capacity  of  our  nature;  wherein  all  our  parts 
and  faculties  shall  be  raised  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
perfection,  our  bodies  shall  become  free  from  all 
corruptibility  and  decay,  all  w^eakness  and  disease, 
all  grossness  and  unwieldiness,  all  deformity -and  de- 
filement: for  they  shall,  as  St.  Paul  teaches  us,  be 
rendered  incorruptible,  strong,  healthful,  glorious, 
and  spiritual:  our  souls  also  shall  in  their  faculties 
be  advanced,  in  their  inclinations  rectified,  in  their 
appetites  satisfied;  the  understanding  becoming  full 
of  light,  clear  and  distinct  in  knowledge  of  truth, 
free  from  ignorance,  doubt,  and  error;  the  will 
being  steadily  inclined  to  good,  ready  to  comply 
with  God's  will,  free  from  all  weakness  and  all  per- 


ISAAC    BARROW.  311 

verseiiess;  our  affections  being  set  in  right  order  and 
frame,  with  a  constant  regularity  tending  unto  that 
which  is  really  best,  and  taking  a  full  delight  there- 
in: wherein  we  shall  enjoy  the  blissful  sight  of  God, 
smiling  in  love  and  favor  upon  us;  the  presence  of 
our  gracious  Eedeemer,  embracing  us  with  most 
tender  affection;  the  society  of  the  holy  angels,  and 
of  the  just  made  perfect;  whose  company  and  con- 
versation, how  unconceivably  sweet  and  delightful 
must  it  be!  wherein  nothing  adverse  or  troublesome 
can  befall  us;  no  unpleasant  or  offensive  object  shall 
present  itself  to  us;  no  want,  or  need  of  anything 
shall  appear;  no  care,  or  fear,  or  suspicion;  no  labor 
or  toil,  no  sorrow  or  pain,  no  distaste  or  regret,  no 
stir  or  contention,  no  listlessness  or  satiety,  shall  be 
felt,  or  shall  come  near  us;  where  God  (as  it  is  in 
the  Apocalypse)  will  wipe  every  tear  from  the  eyes 
(of  them  who  shall  come  there),  and  death  shall  be 
no  more,  Kev.  xxi.  4;  nor  sorrow,  nor  clamor,  nor 
pain  any  more:  it  is,  in  fine,  a  state  in  excellency 
surpassing  all  words  to  express  it,  all  thoughts  to 
conceive  it:  of  which  the  brightest  splendors  and 
the  choicest  pleasures  here  are  but  obscure  shadows 
and  faint  resemblances;  comparable  to  which  no  eye 
hath  seen,  nor  ear  hath  heard  any  thhig;  nor  hath  it 
entered  into  any  heart  of  man  to  conceive  the  like, 
1  Cor.  ii.  9;  as  St.  Paul,  out  of  the  prophet  Isaiah, 
telleth  us. 


JOHN  HOWE,  M.  A. 
16301705. 

Anticipation  of  the  Joys  of  Heaven. 

"^  ECKON  much  upon  an  eternal  abode 
in  tliat  presence  wliere  is  fulness  of 
joy  and  pleasures  for  evermore.  Enjoy 
by  a  serious,  believing  foresight  the  de- 
5  lights  of  heaven ;  labor  to  rejoice  in  hope 
of  the  glory  of  God.  Look  beyond  this  your  pres- 
ent state.  Confine  not  your  eye  and  delight  to 
what  is  now  to  be  enjoyed,  but  think  of  what  shall 
be.  Set  before  your  eyes  the  glorious  prospect  of 
the  blessed  God  communicating  Himself  to  that 
vast  assembly  of  angels  and  the  spirits  of  just  men 
made  perfect,  in  clearest  discoveries  of  His  glory, 
and  richest  effusions  of  His  goodness.  The  best 
appearance  of  things  in  this  world,  makes  but  a 
dull  scene  in  comparison  of  this.  If  you  look  tow- 
ards God  according  to  what  now  appears  of  His 
glory  in  the  frame  of  the  universe,  and  the  course 
of  His  administrations  and  government  over  His 
creatures.  He  hath  not,  'tis  true,  left  Himself  with- 
•;  ut  witness.  And  you  may  behold  much  that  wouUI 
be  to  you  the  matter  of  delightful  admiration ;  if  j^our 
eye  be  clear,  and  can  pierce  through  clouds  and 


JOHN   HOWE.  ^  313 

darkness  and  a  manifold  veil.  He  hath  made  this 
world,  and  is  every  where  in  it,  but  it  knows  Him 
not.  His  light  shines  in  darkness,  that  doth  not 
comprehend  it.  Beams  of  His  glory  do  every  where 
break  forth,  through  every  creature,  providence,  law, 
and  ordinance  of  His.  But  much  of  His  glory  that 
shines  in  the  creation  is  hid  by  a  train  of  second 
causes,  through  wdiich  few  look  to  the  first.  His 
law^s  men  judge  of  according  to  their  interests  and 
inclinations,  while  the  holy,  glorious  majesty  that 
enacted  them  is  out  of  sight.  His  work  in  the  world 
is  carried  on  in  a  mystery.  His  interest  lives,  but  is 
depressed.  They  who  are  most  devoted  to  Him  are 
supported  indeed  by  His  invisible  hand,  but  are,  in 
the  meantime,  low,  for  the  most  part,  and  afflicted. 
If  you  now  limit  and  confine  your  apprehensions  of 
Him  to  His  present  appearances,  the  matter  of  your 
delight  is  real,  but  much  diminished.  But  conceive 
of  Him  (as  your  faith  can  behold  Him  at  a  distance) 
in  that  posture  wherein  having  settled  the  eternal 
state  of  things  He  Avill  finally  show  Himself.  Con- 
ceive Him  as  having  now  gathered  home  all  that 
have  been  recovered  to  Him  out  of  the  apostasy,  and 
joined  them  to  those  numberless  legions  of  innocent 
and  pure  spirits  about  His  throne  that  never  offended. 
Conceive  Him  as  dispensing  rewards,  pouring  out 
blessings,  upon  the  loyal  heads  and  hearts  of  them 
that  expressed  fidelity  and  duty  to  Him  in  the  time 
and  state  of  trial  and  temptation;  letting  His  glory 
shine  out  with  bright  and  direct  beams,  to  so  many 
beholdino^  and  admiring  eyes;  giving  forth  the  full 

14 


314  ,  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  satisfying  communications  of  His  love,  and 
making  rivers  of  pleasure  flow  perpetually  to  the 
replenishing  the  vast,  enlarged  capacities  of  so  in- 
numerable a  multitude  of  grateful,  adoring  spirits,  to 
whom  it  is  now  sensibly  to  be  perceived  how  His 
fulness  lilleth  all  in  all.  Take  this  view  of  Him; 
and  let  your  faith  and  hope  thus  enter  into  that  which 
is  within  the  veil.  And  remember  there  is  only  a 
little  time  between  you  and  that  blessed  state;  that 
then  you  are  to  enter  into  the  joy  of  your  Lord;  so 
that  the  very  element  and  region  wherein  3^ou  are  to 
live  for  ever,  shall  be  nothing  else  but  delight  and 

Humility. 

CHERISH  the  great  grace  of  humilit}^;  and  be 
ever  mean  and  low  in  your  own  eyes.  That 
temper  carries  in  it  even  a  natural  disposition  to  de- 
light in  God.  How  sweet  complacency  will  such  a 
soul  take  in  Him!  His  light  and  glory  shine  with 
great  lustre  in  the  eyes  of  such  a  one  while  there  is 
not  a  nearer  imagined  lustre  to  vie  therewith.  Stars 
are  seen  at  noon  by  them  that  descend  low  into  a 
deep  pit.  They  will  admire  God  but  little  that  ad- 
mire themselves  much;  and  take  little  pleasure  in 
Him,  who  are  too  much  pleased  with  themselves. 
And  how  sweet  a  relish  have  His  love  and  grace  to 
an  humble,  lowly  soul,  that  esteems  itself  less  than 
the  least  of  His  mercies!  With  what  ravishing  de- 
light will  Divine  mercy  be  entertained,  when  it  is  so 
unexpectedly  vouchsafed;    when  this    shall    be  llic 


JOHN   HOWE.  315 

sense  of  the  soul  now  caught  into  the  embraces  of 
God's  love,  What  I,  vile  creature!  impure  worm! 
what,  beloved  of  God!  Expectation,  grounded 
especially  upon  an  opinion  of  merit,  would  unspeak- 
ably lessen  a  favor,  if  it  were  afforded,  as  also  ex- 
23ected  evils  seem  the  less  when  they  come.  But  the 
lowly  soul,  that  apprehends  desert  of  nothing  but 
hell,  is  surprised  and  overcome  with  wonder  and 
delight,  when  the  great  God  expresses  kindness  to- 
wards it.  Besides  that  He  more  freely  communicates 
Himself  to  such,  To  this  man  will  I  look,  even  to 
him  that  is  poor  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  <fec.,  Isa. 
Ixvi.  1,  2.  And  He  looks  to  such  with  a  design  of 
habitation;  heaven  and  earth  are  not  to  Him  so 
pleasant  a  dwelling.  DoAvn  then  into  the  dust; 
there  you  are  in  the  fittest  place  and  posture  for  de- 
lightful converse  with  God. 

The  Righteous  Willing  to  Die. 

O  HAPPY  souls!  that  finding  the  key  is  turning, 
and  opening  the  door  for  them,  are  willing  to 
go  forth  upon  such  terms,  as  '  knowing  whom  they 
have  believed,'  &c.  And  that  neither  'principali- 
ties, or  powers,  life  or  death,  &c.,  can  ever  separate 
them  from  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  their 
Lord.'  Life,  they  find,  hath  not  separated — where- 
of was  the  greater  danger;  and  death  is  so  far  from 
making  this  separation,  that  it  shall  complete  their 
union  w^ith  the  blessed  God  in  Christ,  and  lay  them 
infolded  in  the  everlasting  embraces  of  Divine  love! 
Happy  they,  that  can  licreupon  w^elcome  death,  and 


316  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

say,  'Now,  Lord,  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  depart 
in  peace!'  that  before  only  desired  leave  to  die,  and 
have  now  obtained  it;  that  are,  with  certainty  of  the 
issue,  at  the  point  of  becoming  complete  victors  over 
the  last  enemy,  and  are  ready  to  enter  upon  their 
triumph,  and  take  up  their  triumphal  song,  '  Death 
is  swallowed  up  in  victory.  Thanks  be  to  God, 
who  giveth  us  the  victory  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.'  Happy  soul!  here  will  be  a  speedy  end  of 
all  thy  griefs  and  sorrows;  they  will  be  presently 
swallowed  up  in  an  absolute  plentitude  and  fulness 
of  joy.  There  is  already  an  end  put  to  thy  torment- 
ing cares  and  fears;  for  what  object  can  remain  to 
thee  of  a  rational  fear,  when  once,  upon  grounds 
s'-icli  as  shake  not  under  thee,  thou  art  reconciled  to 
death!  This  is  the  most  glorious  sort  of  victory, 
viz.  by  reconciliation.  For  so  thou  hast  conquered, 
not  the  enemy  only,  l3ut  the  enmity  itself,  by  which 
he  was  so.  Death  is  become  thy  friend,  and  so  no 
longer  to  be  feared;  'nor  is  there  any  thing  else, 
from  whence  thou  art  to  fear  hurt;  for  death  was 
thy  last  enemy,  even  this  bodily  death.  The-whole 
region  beyond  it,  is  to  one  in  thy  case,  clear  and  se- 
rene, when  to  others  is  reserved  the  blackness  of 
darkness  for  ever. 

O  the  transports  of  joy  that  do  now  most  ration- 
ally result  from  this  state  of  the  case,  when  there  is 
nothing  left  lying  between  the  dislodging  soul,  and 
the  glorious,  unseen  world,  but  only  the  dark  passage 
of  death,  and  that  so  little  formidable,  considering 
who  hath  the  keys  of  the  one,  and  tlie  other!     How 


JOHN    HOWE.  317 

reasonable  is  it  upon  the  account  oi'  somewhat  com- 
mon herein  to  the  Eecleemer  and  the  redeemed, 
although  every  thing  be  not,  to  take  up  the  follow- 
ing w^ords,  that  so  plainly  belong  to  this  very  case: 
'Therefore  my  heart  is  glad,  and  my  glory  rejoiceth; 
my  flesh  also  shall  rest  in  hope.  For  Thou  wilt  not 
leave  my  soul  in  s/teol,  or  Jtades;  Thou  wilt  not  for- 
sake or  abandon  it  in  that  wide  world,  neither  wilt 
Thou  suffer  thine  Hol}^  One  to  see  corruption.  Thou 
wilt  show  me  the  path  of  life;  the  path  that  leads 
unto  that  presence  of  Thine,  wdiere  is  fulness  of  joy, 
and  to  those  pleasures  wdiich  are  at  Thy  right  hand, 
or  in  Thy  power,  and  which  are  for  evermore;  and 
shall  never  admit  either  of  end  or  diminution,' 
Psalm  xvi.  9-11. 

Christian  Hope. 

THOUGH  you  admit  a  just  and  very  solicitous 
feai-,  be  sure  that  you  exclude  not  hope;  though 
you  apprehend  your  case  to  be  dangerous,  look  not 
upon  it  as  desperate.  Your  hope  must  not  be  in 
yourself,  but  in  Him  that  raises  the  dead,  and  calleth 
things  that  are  not,  as  though  they  w^ere;  yea,  makes 
them  exist  and  be.  But  if  you  cast  away  all  hope, 
you  yield  yourself  to  perish.  This  stops  your  breath ; 
so  that  even  all  strugglings  for  life,  and  the  very 
graspings  of  your  fainting  heart,  must  immediately 
cease  and  end  in  perfect  death.  The  danger  of  your 
case,  as  bad  as  it  is,  calls  not  for  this;  nor  will  the 
exigency  of  it  comport  w^ith  it.  When  once  the  soul 
says  there  is  no  hope,  Jer.  ii.  25,  it  immediately  pro- 


318  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ceeds  to  say,  I  have  loved  strangers,  and  after  them 
will  I  go.  Your  hope  is  as  necessary  to  your  safety 
as  your  fear;  we  are  saved  by  hope,  Rom.  viii.  24, 
%.  e.  of  the  end  itself,  which  therefore  animates  to  all 
the  encounters  and  diiEculties  of  our  way,  as  well 
from  within  as  from  without.  Great  distempers  ap- 
pear in  you  and  often  return;  yea,  such  as  are  of  a 
threatening  aspect  and  tendency.  You  should  yet 
consider  you  are  under  cure;  the  prescribed  means 
and  method  whereof  are  before  you.  There  is  balm 
in  Gilead,  and  a  Physician  there:  One  in  whose  hands 
none  that  trusted  Him  ever  miscarried.  'Tis  well  if 
you  find  yourself  sick.  The  whole  need  Him  not, 
and  will  not  therefore  commit  themselves  to  His  care. 
He  hath  relieved  many  such  as  you,  that,  apprehend- 
inof  their  case,  have  been  restored  to  Him:  let  them 
despair  that  know  no  such  way  of  help.  Say  within 
yourself,  though  I  am  fallen  and  low,  I  shall  rise 
and  stand,  renewed  by  Thee,  O  my  God.  AYas  there 
never  such  a  time  with  you  before,  when  in  the  like 
case  you  cried  to  the  Lord  and  He  answered  yon. 
and  strengthened  you  with  strength  in  your-.soul  ? 
Psalm  cxxxviii.  Say  within  yourself,  '  Why  art 
thou  cast  doAvn,  O  my  soul,  hope  thou  in  God;  for 
I  shall  yet  praise  Him,  who  is  the  health  of  my 
countenance  (where  health  shows  itself  in  lively, 
sprightly,  pleasant  looks)  and  my  God.'  Psalm 
xlii.  And  this  very  hope,  as  it  preserves  life,  so  it 
doth  the  delight  and  pleasure  of  life  from  being 
quite  extinct.  The  joy  of  hope  is  not  to  go  for 
nothing,  when  it  can  only  be  said,  not,  it  is  well,  but 


JOIIN   HOWE.  319 

it  sliiill  be.  It  is  pleasant  to  consider  that  the  state 
wherein  saints  on  earth  are,  is  a  state  of  recovery; 
that  though  it  be  not  a  state  of  perfect  health,  yet  it 
is  not  (also)  a  state  of  death;  bnt  wherein  they  are 
tending  to  life  in  the  perfection  of  it.  And  their 
freqnent  (and  very  faulty)  relapses  shall  be  found 
but  to  magnify  the  more  the  skill  and  patience  of 
their  great  Physician.  Therefore,  however  you  are 
not  hence  to  be  secure,  or  imposing  upon  Him;  yet 
let  not  your  hearts  sink  into  an  abject  despair  and 
sullen  discontent,  that  you  find  a  distempered  frame 
sometimes  returnino^.  Let  there  be  tender  relentino-s 
after  God.  Your  heart  ought  often  to  smite  you, 
that  you  have  been  no  more  careful  ancl  watchful; 
but  not  admit  a  thought  that  you  will  therefore  cast 
off  all:  that  it's  in  vain  ever  to  strive  more,  or  seek 
to  recover  that  good  frame  that  you  have  often  found 
is  so  soon  gone. 

Meditating  on  Heavenly  Things. 

DO  not  think  that  Christ  came  into  the  world 
and  died  to  procure  the  pardon  of  your  sins, 
and  so  translate  you  to  heaven,  wdiile  your  hearts 
should  still  remain  clcavino^  to  the  earth.  He  came 
and  returned  to  prepare  a  way  for  you;  and  then 
call,  not  drag  you  thither:  that  by  His  precepts,  and 
promises,  and  example,  and  Spirit,  He  might  form 
and  fashion  your  souls  to  that  glorious  state;  and 
make  you  willing  to  abandon  all  things  for  it.  And 
lo  !  now  the  God  of  all  grace  is  calling  you  by  Jesus 
Christ  unto   His  eternal  glory.     Direct  then    your 


320  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

eyes  and  hearts  to  that  mark,  the  prize  of  the  high 
calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  'Tis  ignominious, 
by  the  common  suffrage  of  the  civilized  world,  not 
to  intend  the  proper  business  of  our  calling.  'Tis 
your  calling  to  forsake  this  world  and  mind  the 
other;  make  haste  then  to  quit  yourselves  of  ^^our 
entanglements,  of  all  earthly  dispositions  and  aflec- 
tions.  Learn  to  live  in  this  w;orld  as  those  that  are 
not  of  it,  that  expect  every  day,  and  wish  to  leave 
it,  whose  hearts  are  gone  already. 

O  get  then  the  lovely  image  of  the  future  glory 
into  your  minds.  Keep  it  ever  before  your  eyes. 
Make  it  familiar  to  your  thoughts.  Imprint  daily 
there  these  Vords:  I  shall  behold  Thy  face;  I  shall 
be  satisfied  with  Thy  likeness.  And  see  that  your 
souls  be  enriched  with  that  righteousness,  have  in- 
wrought into  tliem  that  holy  rectitude,  that  may  dis- 
pose them  to  that  blessed  state.  Then  will  you  die 
wdth  your  own  consent,  and  go  away,  not  driven,  but 
allured  and  drawn.  You  will  go,  as  the  redeemed 
of  the  Lord,  with  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads; 
as  those  that  know  whither  you  go,  even  to  -a  state 
infinitely  worthy  of  your  desires  and  choice,  and 
where  'tis  best  for  you  to  be.  You  will  part  with 
your  souls,  not  by  a  forcible  separation,  but  by  a 
joyful  surrender  and  resignation.  They  will  dis- 
lodge from  this  earthly  tabernacle,  rather  as  putting 
it  off  than  having  it  rent  and  torn  away.  Loosen 
yourselves  from  this  body  by  degrees,  as  we  do  any 
thing  we  would  remove  from  a  place  where  it  sticks 
fast.    Gather  up  your  spirits  into  themselves.    Teach 


JOHN    HOWE.  321 

them  to  look  upon  themselves  as  a  distinct  thing. 
Inure  them  to  the  thoughts  of  a  dissolution.  Be 
continually  as  taking  leave.  Cross  and  disprove  the 
common  maxim,  and  let  your  hearts,  which  they  use 
to  say  are  wont  to  die  last,  die  first.  Prevent  death, 
and  be  mortified  towards  every  earthly  thing  before- 
hand, that  death  may  have  nothing  to  kill  but  your 
bodyj  and  that  you  may  not  die  a  double  death  in 
one  hour,  and  sufier  the  death  of  your  body  and  of 
your  love  to  it  both  at  once.  Much  less  that  this 
should  survive  to  your  greater,  and  even  incurable, 
misery.  Shake  off*  your  bands  and  fetters,  the  ter- 
rene aftections  that  so  closely  confine  you  to  the 
house  of  your  bondage.  And  lift  up  your  heads  in 
expectation  of  the  approaching  jubilee,  the  day  of 
your  redemption;  when  you  are  to  go  out  free,  and 
enter  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God; 
when  you  shall  serve,  and  groan,  and  complain  no 
longer.  Let  it  be  your  continual  song,  and  the 
matter  of  your  daily  praise,  that  the  time  of  your 
happy  deliverance  is  hastening  on;  that  ere  long  you 
shall  be  absent  from  the  bod}^,  and  present  with  the 
Lord. 

The  Saints'  Delight  in  God. 

IN  wdiat  transports  have  holy  souls  been  upon  the 
view  and  contemplation  of  His  sovereign  powder 
and  dominion;  His  wise  and  righteous  government; 
His  large  and  flowing  goodness,  that  extends  in  com- 
mon to  all  the  works  of  His  hands  !  Labor  to  imitate 
the  ingenuous  and  loyal  affection  of  this  kind,  where- 

14* 


322  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

of  you  find  many  expressions  in  the  sacred  Volume. 
For  what  hath  been  matter  of  delight  to  saints  of  old, 
ought  surely  still  as  much  to  be  accounted  so.  To 
give  instances: 

You  sometimes  find  them  in  a  most  complacential 
adoration  of  His  wonderful  wisdom  and  counsels.  O 
the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and 
knowledge  of  God  !  How  unsearchable  are  His  judg- 
ments, and  His  ways  past  finding  out!  Rom.  xi.  33. 
And  again,  To  God  only  wise  be  glory,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  for  ever.  Amen.  Chap.  xvi.  27.  To  the  King 
eternal,  immortal,  invisible,  the  only  wise  God,  be 
honor  and  glory  for  ever,  1  Tim.  i.  17,  &c.  To  the 
only  wise  God  our  Saviour,  be  glory  and  majesty, 
dominion  and  power,  noAv  and  ever,  Jude  25,  <fec. 
Elsewhere  we  have  them  in  transports  admiring  His 
holiness.  Who  is  like  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  among 
the  gods !  Who  is  like  Thee  glorious  in  holiness, 
Exod.  XV.  11.  There  is  none  holy  as  the  Lord;  for 
there  is  none  besides  Thee,  neither  is  there  any  rock 
like  our  God,  1  Sam.  ii.  2.  And  this  is  recommended 
and  enjoined  to  His  holy  ones  as  the  special  -matter 
of  their  joy  and  praise:  Rejoice  in  the  Lord,  ye 
righteous,  and  give  thanks  at  the  remembrance  of 
His  holiness.  Psalm  xcvii.  12.  At  other  times  we 
have  their  magnificent  celebrations  of  His  glorious 
power,  and  that  by  way  of  triumph  over  the  pagan- 
ish gods:  Our  God  is  in  the  heavens,  He  hath  done 
whatsoever  He  pleased,  Psalm  cxv.  Their  idols  are 
silver  and  gold,  &c.  Be  Thou  exalted,  O  God,  in 
Thine  own  strength,  Psalm  xxi.  13.     We  will  sing 


JOHN    HOWE.  "  323 

and  praise  Thy  power.  Forsake  me  not  nntil  I  have 
showed  Thy  strength  unto  this  generation,  and  Thy 
130wer  to  every  one  that  is  to  come,  Psahii  Ixxi.  18, 
&c.  This  is  given  out  as  the  song  of  Moses  and  the 
Lamb:  Who  shall  not  fear  Thee,  O  Lord,  and  glorify 
Thy  name  V  Great  and  marvelous  are  Tliy  works, 
Lord  God  Almighty,  &c.  And  how  do  they  magnify 
His  mercy  and  goodness,  both  towards  His  own  peo- 
ple and  His  creatures  in  general,  Psalm  xxxi.  19.  O 
how  great  is  Thy  goodness  which  Thou  hast  laid  up 
for  them  that  fear  Thee,  that  Thou  hast  wrouofht  for 
them  that  trust  in  Thee  before  the  children  of  men ! 
Rejoice  in  the  Lord,  O  ye  righteous,  for  praise  is 
comely  for  the  upright;  praise  the  Lord  with  harp; 
sing  unto  Him  with  the  psaltery.  Psalm  xxxiii.  1,  &c. 
The  earth  is  full  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord.  I  will 
extol  Thee,  my  God,  O  King,  I  will  bless  Thy  name 
for  ever  and  ever,  Psalm  cxlv.  1,  &c.  Men  shall 
speak  of  the  might  of  Thy  terrible  acts,  they  shall 
abundantly  utter  the  memory  of  Thy  great  goodness, 
and  shall  sing  of  Thy  righteousness.  The  Lord  is 
gracious  and  full  of  compassion,  slow  to  anger,  and 
of  great  mercy.  The  Lord  is  good  to  all,  and  His 
tender  mercies  are  over  all  His  works.  To  insert  all 
that  might  be  mentioned  to  this  purpose,  were  to 
transcribe  a  great  part  of  the  Bible.  And  in  what 
raptures  do  we  often  find  them,  in  the  contemplation 
of  His  faithfulness  and  truth,  His  justice  and  right- 
eousness, His  eternity,  the  boundlessness  of  His  pre- 
sence, the  greatness  of  His  works,  the  cxtensiveness 
of  His  dominion,  the  perpetuity  of  His  kingdom,  the 


32-1  DEVOTlONxVL    THOUGHTS. 

exactness  of  His  government:  Who  is  a  strong  God 
like  unto  Thee,  and  to  Thy  faithfuhicss,  round  about 
Thee,  Psahn  Ixix.  Thy  mercy,  O  Lord,  is  in  the 
heavens,  and  Thy  faithfulness  reaches  unto  tlie 
clouds.  Psalm  xxxvi.  Before  the  mountains  were 
brouoht  forth,  or  ever  Thou  hadst  formed  the  earth 
or  the  world,  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  Thou 
art  God,  Psalm  xc.  2.  But  will  God  indeed  dwell 
on  the  earth  ?  Behold,  the  heaven  and  heaven  of 
heavens  cannot  contain  Thee,  1  Kings  viii.  The 
works  of  the  Lord  are  great,  sought  out  of  them  that 
have  pleasure  therein.  His  work  is  honorable  and 
glorious,  Psalm  cxi,  &c.  All  Thy  works  shall  praise 
Thee,  O  Lord,  and  Thy  saints  shall  bless  Thee;  they 
shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  Thy  kingdom,  and  talk 
of  Thy  power,  to  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men 
His  mighty  acts,  and  the  glorious  majesty  of  His 
kingdom.  Psalm  cxlv.  Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlast- 
ing kingdom,  and  Thy  dominion  endureth  through- 
out all  generations. 

And  His  glory  in  the  general,  (which  results  from 
His  several  excellencies  in  conjunction,)  how-loftily 
is  it  often  celebrated  with  the  expression  of  the  most 
loyal  desires,  that  it  may  be  every  where  renowned, 
and  of  greatest  complacency,  in  as  far  it  is  appre- 
hended so  to  be.  The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  en- 
dure for  ever.  They  shall  sing  in  the  ways  of  the 
Lord,  for  great  is  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  Be  Thou 
exalted  above  the  heavens,  let  Thy  glory  be  above  all 
the  earth.  Psalm  civ.  31,  cxxxviii.  5,  Ivii.  7,  11.  Let 
them  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord,  for  His  name 


JOHN  iiouE.  325 

alone  is  excellent,  His  glory  is  above  the  earth  and 
the  heavens,  Psalm  cxlviii.  13.    When  you  read  such 
passages  as  these,  (whether  they  be  elogies  or  com- 
mendations of  Him,  or  doxologies  and  direct  attribu- 
tions of  glory  to  Him,)  you  are  to  bethink  yourselves, 
with  what  temper  of  heart  these  things  were  uttered  ! 
with  how  raised  and  exalted  a  spirit !  what  high  de- 
light and  pleasure  was  conceived  in  glorifying  God, 
or  in  beholding  Him  glorious  !     How  large  and  un- 
bounded a  heart,  and  how  full  of  His  praise,  doth 
still  every  where  discover  itself  in  such  strains;  when 
all  nations,   when  all  creatures,  when  every  thing 
that  hath  breath,  when  heaven  and  earth  are  invited 
together,  to  join  in  the  concert,  and  bear  a  part  in 
His  praises  !    And  now  eye  Him  under  the  same  no- 
tions under  which  you  have  seen  Him  so  magnified, 
that  in  the  same  way  }'ou  may  have  your  own  heart 
wrought  up  to  the  same  pitch  and  temper  toAvards 
Him.    Should  it  not  provoke  an  emulation,  and  make 
you  covet  to  be  amidst  the  throng  of  loyal  and  de- 
voted souls,  when  you  see  them  ascending  as  if  they 
were  all  incense  !  when  you  behold  them  dissolving 
and  melting  away  in  delight  and  love,  and  ready  to 
expire,  even  fainting  that  they  can  do  no  more;   de- 
signing their  very  last  breath  shall  go  forth  in  the 
close  of  a  song  !  I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord  as  long  as 
I  live,  I  will  sing  praise  to  my  God  while  I  have  my 
being,  Psalm  civ.  33.    How  becoming  is  it  to  resolve, 
'  This  shall  be  my  aim  and  ambition,  to  fly  the  same, 
and  if  it  were   possible,  a  greater,   height.'     Read 
over  such  psalms  as  are  more  especially  designed  for 


326  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

the  magnifying  of  God;  Psdlms  yiii.  xlviii.  xcv.  xcvi. 
xcvii.  xcviii.  xcix.  &c.:  and  when  von  see  what  were 
the  things  that  were  most  taking  to  so  spiritual  and 
pious  hearts;  thence  receive  instruction,  and  aim  to 
have  your  hearts  alike  affected  and  transported  with 
the  same  things.  Frame  the  supposition,  that  you 
are  meant,  that  the  invitation  is  directed  to  you,  '  O 
come  let  us  sinsf  unto  the  Lord,  let  us  come  before 
His  presence  with  thanksgiving,  and  make  a  joyful 
noise  to  Him  with  psalms;  for  the  Lord  is  a  great 
God,  and  a  great  King  above  all  gods,  &c.  And 
think  with  yourselves.  Is  He  not  as  great  as  He  was  ? 
Is  He  not  as  much  our  Maker  as  He  was  theirs  ?  Is 
it  not  now  as  true,  that  '  The  Lord  reigneth,  and  is 
high  above  all  the  earth,  and  exalted  far  above  all 
gods.'  Now  since  these  were  the  considerations  up- 
on which  so  great  complacency  was  taken  in  Him, 
set  the  same  before  your  own  eyes.  And  since  these 
were  proposed  as  the  matter  of  so  common  a  joy, 
and  the  creation  seems  designed  for  a  musical  instru- 
ment of  as  many  strings  as  there  are  creatures  in 
heaven  and  earth;  awake,  and  make  haste  .to  get 
your  heart  fixed;  lest  'the  heavens  rejoice,  and  the 
earth  be  glad,  the  world  and  all  that  dwell  therein; 
lest  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  thereof,  the  floods 
clap  their  hands,  the  fields  and  the  hills  be  joyful 
together,  and  all  the  trees  of  the  wood  rejoice  before 
the  Lord,'  while  you  only  arc  silent  and  uncon- 
cerned.* 

*  This  passage  is  expressed  in  an  exalted  strain  of  sacred  elo- 
quence; and  no  more  fervid  or  soul-stirring  one  can  be  found  in  the 
writings  of  Ilowe. 


JOHN    HOWE.  327 

Live  With  ETERNiTr  in  View. 

MORE  particularly  labor  to  have  your  appre- 
hensions of  the  future  state  of  the  unseen 
world,  and  eternal  things,  made  more  lively  and 
efficacious  daily,  and  that  your  faith  of  them  may  be 
such  as  may  truly  admit  to  be  called  the  very  sub- 
stance and  evidence  of  those  thino^s.  Shall  that  sdo- 
rious  everlasting  state  of  things  be  always  as  a  dark 
shadow  with  us,  or  as  the  images  w^e  have  of  things 
in  a  dream,  ineffectual  and  vanishing,  only  because 
we  have  not  seen  Avith  our  eyes,  where  God  Himself 
hath  by  His  express  word  made  the  representations 
of  them  to  us,  who  never  deceived  us,  as  our  own 
eyes  and  treacherous  senses  have  done  ?  Why  do 
we  not  live  as  just  now  entering  into  the  eternal 
state,  and  as  if  we  now  beheld  the  glorious  appear- 
ing of  the  great  God  our  Saviour,  when  we  are  as 
nmch  assured  of  them  as  if  wq  beheld  them  ?  Why 
do  we  not  oftener  view  the  representation  of  the 
heavens  vanishing,  the  elements  melting,  the  earth 
flaming,  the  angels  every  where  dispersed  to  gather 
the  elect,  and  them  ascending,  caught  up  to  meet  the 
Redeemer  in  the  air,  ever  to  be  with  the  Lord? 
What  a  trifle  will  the  world  be  to  us  then  ! 


EZEKIEL  HOPKINS,  D.  D. 

1G33-1690. 

The  Christian's  Joy. 

HEAVENLY  Christian  feels  some- 
times a  ponderous  and  weighty  joy;  a 
joy  springing  up  in  Lis  soul,  almost  in- 
tolerable, and  altogether  unutterable; 
a  joy,  that  melts  him  into  ecstasy  and 
rapture.  How  infinitely  doth  he  then  disdain, 
that  any  soul  should  be  so  wretchedly  sottish,  as 
to  prefer  the  world  before,  or  equalize  it  with  God ! 
He  thinks  the  happiness  he  then  enjoys  so  great, 
that,  although  he  believes  it  is,  yet  he  cannot  con- 
ceive how  it  should  be  more  or  greater  iu  heaven 
itself.  Then  the  soul  claps  its  wing:  it  would  fain 
take  its  flight,  and  be  gone;  it  breathes,  it  pants, 
it  reaches,  after  God,  and  falls  into  an  agony  of  joy 
and  desire  inconceivably  mixed  together.  Can  the 
world  give  us  any  such  overpowering  joy  as  this? 
It  may  afford  us  corn  and  wine ;  the  weak  recruits 
of  a  frail  life :  but,  when  it  hath  emptied  all  its  store 
and  abundance  into  our  bosoms,  it  is  not  worthy  to 
be  mentioned  with  the  love  and  favor  of  God,  which 
is  hetter  than  life  itself,  Psalm  Ixiii.  3.  And  therefore, 
the  psalmist  makes  it  his  prayer.  Psalm  iv.  6,  7. 


EZEKIEL    IIOPKIXS.  329 

Lord,  lift  Thou  uj)  the  light  of  Thy  counteiiance  upon 
us.  Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart,  "more  than 
in  the  time  that  their  corn  and  %mne  increased. 

Inconstancy  of  Earthly  Enjoyments. 

WHEN  the  sun  shines  bright  and  warm,  all  the 
flowers  of  the  field  open  and  display  their 
leaves,  to  receive  him  into  their  bosoms  ;  but,  when 
night  comes,  they  fold  together,  and  shut  up  all  their 
glories  :  and,  though  they  were  like  so  many  little 
suns  shining  here  below,  able,  one  Avould  think,  to 
force  a  day  for  themselves  ;  yet,  when  the  sun  with- 
draws his  beams,  they  droop,  and  hang  the  head,  and 
stand  neglected,  dull  and  obscure  things.  So  hath 
it  fared  with  us  :  while  God  hath  shone  upon  us  with 
warm  and  cherishing  influences,  we  opened,  and 
spread,  and  flourished  into  a  great  pomp  and  glory; 
but  He  only  hides  His  face,  draws  in  His  beams,  and 
all  our  beautiful  leaves  shut  up,  or  fall  to  the  ground, 
and  leave  us  a  bare  stalk,  poor  and  contemptible. 

Pardon  of  Sin. 

PARDON  of  sin  is,  in  Scripture,  set  forth  by  very 
sweet  and  full  expressions.  It  is  called,  a  blot- 
ting out  of  transgression :  a  metaphor  taken  from  a 
creditor's  crossing  the  debt-book,  signifying  thereby 
a  discharge  of  the  debt.  And,  lest  Ave  might  possi- 
bly fear  God  will  implead  us  for  them  without  book, 
the  prophet  adds  forgetting  unto  blotting  out :  Is. 
xliii.  25.  /,  even  /,  am  lie,  that  hlotteth  out  thy  trans- 
gressions for  my  name's  saJtc;  and  I  will  not  remeni- 


330  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

her  thy  sins.  It  is  called,  a  covering  of  our  sins  : 
Psalm  xxxii.  1.  Blessed  is  the  man,  tv/iose  transgres- 
sion is  forgiven^  and  ivJiose  sin  is  covered.  Yea,  we 
have  a  farther  ground  of  comfort,  for  it  is  not  only 
a  covering  of  om-  sins,  but  it  is  a  covering  of  God's 
face  from  them.  Psalm  li.  9.  Hide  Thy  face  from, 
my  sinSj  and  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities.  It  is  a  cast- 
ing of  them  behind  God's  back,  as  a  thing  that  He 
will  never  more  regard:  Is.  xxxviii.  17.  Thou  hast 
cast  all  my  sins  behind  Thy  back.  And,  lest  we 
should  suspect  He  should  turn  again  to  behold  them, 
it  is  called,  a  casting  of  them  into  the  bottom  of  the 
sea :  Mic.  vii.  19,  as  we  do  with  things  we  would 
have  irrecoverably  lost  and  gone.  It  is  a  scattering 
them  as  a  thicJc  cloud :  Is.  xliv.  22,  when  the  vapors 
of  it  are  so  dissipated,  that  there  shall  not  remain  the 
least  spot,  to  obstruct  the  shining  of  God's  face  and 
favor  upon  our  souls.  Yea,  and  so  perfect  an  aboli- 
tion shall  be  made  of  all  our  iniquities,  that,  though 
Divine  justice  should  enter  into  a  strict  search  and 
scrutiny  after  them,  they  shall  not  be  found  against 
us :  so  the  prophet  Jeremiah  tells  us,  Jer.  1...20.  In 
those  days,  shall  the  iniquity  of  Israel  be  sought  for; 
and  there  shall  be  none  :  and  the  sins  of  Judah;  and 
they  shcdl  not  be  found.  How  hath  God  hea2)ed  up 
expressions  of  his  grace  and  mercy  one  upon  another  ! 
and  studied  words,  as  it  were,  to  assure  us  of  tlie 
validity  of  our  pardon  ;  giving  to  us  abounding  con- 
solations, as  our  sins  have  been  al)oundino'  \ 


EZEKIEL    HOPKINS.  o3I 

Grace  Opposing  Sin. 

C^  RACE  is  an  immortal  seed,  that  will  certainly 
X  sprout  up  and  flourish  into  glory:  it  is  a  living 
fountain,  that  will  certainly  spring  up  unto  eternal 
life  ;  a  ray  of  heavenly  light,  that  will  wax  brighter 
and  brighter  to  a  heavenly  day.  It  is  immortal,  in 
its  seed ;  victorious,  in  a  spark ;  triumphant,  in  its 
dawn  :  yea,  take  it  when  it  is  weakest,  when  this 
dawn  is  clouded,  when  this  spark  twinkles,  when 
this  seed  is  unspirited ;  yet,  even  then,  is  it  mighty 
through  God,  and  is  still  an  over-match  for  shi. 

Heavenly  Rest. 

THAT  rest,  that  is  there  to  be  expected  and  en- 
joyed, is  operative  working  rest:  it  is  both  rest 
and  exercise,  at  once;  and,  therefore,  it  is  a  true 
paradox.  Though  the  saints  in  heaven  rest  from  their 
working,  continually  are  they  blessing  and  praising 
God;  ascribing  glory,  and  honor,  and  power  to  Him 
that  sits  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever- 
more: always  are  they  beholding,  admiring  and 
adoring  God,  and  burning  in  love  to  each  other,  and 
mutually  rejoicing  in  God  and  in  one  another.  And 
this  is  the  work  of  that  eternal  rest;  a  work  never  to 
be  intermitted  nor  to  cease. 

Heavenly  Hope. 

HOPE  is  called,  the  anchor  of  the  soul — that  eii: 
teretJt  into  that  ivithin  the  veil:  Heb.  vi.  19, 
that  is,  into  heaven:  it  lays  hold  on  all  that  glory, 
that  is  there  laid  up   and  kept  in  reversion  for  us. 


832  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Hope  is,  in  itself,  a  solid  and  substantial  possession; 
for  it  stirs  up  the  same  affections,  it  excites  the  same 
joy,  delight  and  complacency,  as  fruition  itself  doth. 
It  is  the  taster  of  all  our  comforts:  and,  if  they  be 
but  temporal,  it  not  only  tastes  them,  but  sometimes 
quite  devours  them;  and  leaves  us  in  suspense 
whether  it  be  not  better  to  be  expectants  than  en- 
joyers.  Heavenly  hope  gives  the  same  real  content- 
ment and  satisfaction:  it  antedates  our  glory;  and 
puts  us  into  the  possession  of  our  inheritance,  whilst 
we  are  yet  in  our  nonage:  only  it  doth  not  spend 
and  devour  its  object,  beforehand,  as  earthly  hope 
doth. 

The  Work  of  Grace  and  Sanctification. 

GEACE  is  glory  in  the  seed,  and  glory  is  but 
grace  in  the  flower.  Thus  the  apostle,  2  Cor. 
iii.  18,  We  are  changed  into  the  same  image  from 
glory  to  glory:  that  is,  the  image  of  God  is  still  per- 
fecting in  us  by  His  Spirit,  carrying  on  His  work 
from  one  measure  and  deo^ree  of  o:race  unto  another. 
For  the  whole  life  of  a  Christian  here  on  -earth,  is 
but  as  it  were  one  continued  sittino^  under  the  hand 
and  pencil  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  till  those  first  lines 
and  obscurer  shadows,  which  were  laid  in  His  new 
birth,  receive  more  life,  sweetness  and  beauty  from 
His  progressive  sanctification.  And  this  is  a  being 
changed  from  glory  to  glory.  And  when  this  is  come 
to  that  perfection  as  to  need  only  the  last  hand,  and 
the  completing  touch,  then,  God  glorifies  us  by  the 
full  consummation  of  our  holiness  and  happiness  in 


EZEKIEL    HOPKINS.  333 

heaven.  Thus  Christ  prays,  John  xvii.  1,  The  hour 
is  come:  glorify  Thy  Son:  and  so,  v.  5,  Glorify 
Thou  me  ivith  Thine  own  self  idth  the  glory  luhich  1 
had  ivith  Thee  before  the  world  was.  And  so,  when 
our  hour  is  likewise  come,  when  we  have  attained  to 
the  full  measure  of  our  stature  in  Christ  Jesus,  God 
will  then  glorify  us  with  Himself;  in  that  glory, 
which  He  hath  prepared  for  us  before  the  world  was. 

Co^irORT    IN    THE    DeATH    OF    PlOUS    FrIENDS. 

IS  it  your  own  loss  which  you  lament;  because 
they  are  taken  from  you,  with  whom,  nay  for 
whom,  you  would  willingly  have  died,  and  given 
up  3^ourselves  to  the  death?  even  this  is  but  the 
effect  of  self-love,  and  shows  that  you  are  more 
concerned  in  your  own  contentment  than  in  their 
glory;  and,  that  you  might  enjoy  them  yourselves, 
you  would  keep  them  from  their  near  and  intimate 
enjoyment  of  God.  Can  you  not,  for  a  while,  dis- 
pense with  their  absence,  for  their  advantage;  and 
make  up  the  comfort  which  you  want  in  their 
presence,  by  the  comfort  which  you  have  in  the 
assurance  of  their  happiness  ?  What  our  Saviour 
saith  to  his  disciples,  John  xiv.  28,  that  may  I  say  to 
you:  If  you  love  them,  j^ou  will  rejoice,  because 
they  are  gone  to  their  Father.  And  this  separation, 
by  this  absence  of  theirs,  is  but  for  a  short  time:  do 
you  but  tread  the  paths  of  their  example  and  follow 
their  track,  and,  as  their  works  went  before  them  to 
heaven,  so  yours  shall  follow  you;  where  you  shall 
rest  from  all  your  sorrows  and  troubles;  where  no 


334  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

affliction  nor  discontentment  shall  overcast  your  per- 
fect joy;  where,  without  fear  of  another  separation, 
you  shall  be  satisfied  in  the  enjoyment  of  one  an- 
other, and  all  in  the  enjoyment  of  God. 


THOMAS  KEN",  D.D. 
1637-1711. 

A  Pkayer  ror  Spiritualized  Affections. 

f^^P^  LORD,    enligliteu   my  understand- 
ing, that  I  may  know  Thee ;  sanctify  my 
affections,  that  I  may  love  Thee ;  and  put 
Thy  fear  into  my  heart,  that  I  may  dread 
to  offend  Thee. 
Wean  my  affections,  O  Lord,  from  the  things 
of  this  world,  and  whatever  my  state  and  condi- 
tion may  be  here,  give  me  grace  therewith  to  be 
content. 

O  my  God !  let  the  consideration  of  the  emptiness 
of  pleasure,  the  troubles  and  miseries  of  riches,  and 
the  shortness  and  vanity  of  all  things  in  the  world, 
inspire  me  with  due  contempt  of  all  enjoyments  here 
below;  and  make  me  ever  shun  these  hindrances  to 
a  life  of  holiness  and  virtue,  that  I  may  with  the 
greater  freedom  enjoy  Thee,  O  my  God !  in  medita- 
ting on  Thy  perfections  and  Thy  glories.  Let  me, 
dearest  Jesus,  have  those  influences  of  Thy  blessed 
Spirit  in  my  retirements,  that  I  may  at  last  grow 
wholly  weary  of  the  world,  and  then  fix  my  thoughts 
upon  that  heavenly  kingdom,  where  true  pleasures, 


336  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

fulness  of  riches,  and  lasting  honors  are  only  to  be 
met  withal ;  whither  let  Thy  mercy  speedily  bring 
me,  that  I  may  be  satisfied  with  the  fulness  of  Thy 
presence,  and  meditate  for  ever  on  Thy  great  perfec- 
tions, joining  with  all  the  glorious  attendants  on  Thy 
throne  in  endless  songs  of  Thy  eternal  praises.  Amen. 

On  Communion  with  God. 

RETIRE,  O  my  soul !  from  the  busy  world,  and 
employ  thyself  about  that  for  which  thou  wert 
created: — The  contemplation  of  thy  God.  I  will 
hasten  to  my  closet,  or  yonder  solitary  walk,  and 
there  sequestered  from  a  vexatious  world,  I  will  not 
suffer  a  single  thought  of  it  to  approach  me,  unless 
by  way  of  pity  and  contempt. 

How  delightful  is  it,  O  my  soul !  for  thee  to  enjoy 
this  sweet  communion  with  thy  God,  and  thus  to 
dwell  upon  divine  objects.  Here  am  I  safe,  and  at 
rest  in  this  dear  place  of  quiet;  and  earnestly  pity 
all  the  men  of  business  and  hurry,  whose  heads  are 
full  of  perplexing  contrivances,  to  procure  a  little 
happiness  in  a  Avorld  where  there  is  no  such  thing. 

O  blessed  freedom  !  O  charming  solitude  !  I  will 
grasp  you,  and  I  will  hold  3^ou  fast — the  delight  of 
silence  and  retreat !  Here  I  can  unburthen  my  soul, 
and  pour  it  out  before  my  God.  Here  I  can  wrestle 
with  the  powers  of  heaven,  and  not  let  them  go  till 
I  have  obtained  a  blessing.  Here  I  can  confess  my 
sins,  and  with  hopes  of  comfort  lay  open  my  troubled 
breast  before  the  merciful  Hearer  of  my  prayers. 


tpiomas  ken.  337 

On  The  Love  of  the  Saviour. 

OGOD,  my  Saviour  and  my  Lord,  grant,  I  be- 
seech Thee,  that  the  contemplations  of  Thy 
dear  love  may  ever  inspire  my  inflamed  heart  with 
the  zealous  return  of  love  to  Thee,  my  God,  and  with 
the  most  fervent  charity  to  all  the  members  of  Thy 
holy  Church,  whether  they  are  my  friends  or  my 
causeless  enemies.  O  let  me  never,  by  the  coldness 
of  my  affections  for  my  neighbors  and  fellow-Chris- 
tians, make  myself  uuAvorthy  of  that  love  of  Thine 
which  has  now  employed  my^iieditations;  and  since 
without  charity,  no  other  virtue  or  religious  duty  is 
acceptable  in  Thy  sight,  let  it  be  my  daily  exercise 
to  attain  it,  that  at  length  I  may  be  a  perfect  profi- 
cient in  the  school  of  love,  and  my  humble  soul  may 
breathe  out  nothing  else;  that  no  provocation  or  af- 
fronts of  the  most  wilful  malice  may  ever  stir  up  in 
me  the  spirit  of  revenge,  or  abate  my  charity;  but 
let  this  celestial  fire  of  heavenly  love  ever  burn  in 
my  fervent  breast  upon  earth,  till  it  is  perfected  at 
last  in  the  blessed  regions  of  eternal  love. 

On  The  Joys  of  Hj:aven. 

HAIL,  the  despised  followers  of  the  poverty  of 
Jesus  !  He  had  no  estates, — He  had  no  pur- 
chase on  earth,  not  '  a  hole  wherein  to  lay  His  sacred 
head.'  In  this  you  were  like  your  suffering  Lord; 
for  your  treasures  were  in  heaven,  where  you  now 
enjoy  them  with  an  assurance  of  an  everlasting  pos- 
session; you  are  now  no  longer  heirs  but  actual  in- 
heritors  of  that  kingdom   of  inexpressible  wealthy 

15 


338  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

from  Avhicli  He  has  utterly  debarred  all  that  are  en- 
cumbered with  riches  here  below,  and  place  their 
security  and  reliance  on  them.  What  divine  melody 
is  this,  O  my  soul,  which  thus  charms  my  ravished 
thoughts  ?  What  vigorous  echoes  of  joy  inexpressi- 
ble are  these  I  hear  ?  These  can  be  none  other  than 
the  voices  of  angels.  Oh,  the  fervor  of  this  joy !  as 
if  their  heavenly  breasts  were  unable  to  contain  the 
flaming  zeal  within.  Lo  !  how  they  break  forth  into 
the  most  ardent  expressions,  and  pathetic  hallelujahs 
to  your  Creator's  glory  !  Hark  !  what  heavenly  song 
is  this  I  hear?  'Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty !  which  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come.  Bless- 
ing, honor,  power,  and  glory,  be  unto  Him  that  sit- 
tcth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb,  for  ever  and 
ever !' 

A  Pkayer  for  one  in  Affliction. 
^  T  ICNOW,  Lord,  that  Thy  judgments  are  right, 

_L  and  that  Thou  of  very  faithfulness  hast  caused 
me  to  be  troubled; '  Psalm  cxix.  75;  for  'before  I 
was  afflicted  I  went  astray:  but  now  have  I  kept  Thy 
word.'  Psalm  cxix.  6.  Blessed  be  Thy  goodness 
for  afflicting  me. 

I  humbly  beg  of  Thee,  O  merciful  Father,  that 
this  affliction  may  strengthen  my  faith,  which  Thou 
sawest  was  growing  weak;  fix  my  hope,  which  was 
staggering;  quicken  my  devotion,  which  was  lan- 
guishing; re-kindle  my  charity,  which  was  cooling; 
revive  my  zeal,  which  was  dying:  confirm  my  obe- 
dience, which  was  wavering;  recover  my  patience, 


THOMAS    KEN.  339 

which  was  fainting;  mortify  my  pride,  which  was 
presuming;  and  perfect  my  repentance,  which  was 
daily  decaying:  for  all  these  and  the  like  infirmities, 
to  which  my  soul  is  exposed,  O  make  Thy  affliction 
my  cure  ! 

Grant,  O  my  God,  that  this  affliction  Thou  hast 
in  mercy  laid  on  me,  may  wean  all  my  affections  from 
the  world,  Avhich  I  was  apt  to  grow  too  fond  of; 
rescue  me  from  those  occasions  of  evil  of  which  I  was 
in  danger;  secure  me  from  those  temptations  which 
were  ready  to  assault  me;  restrain  me  from  those  sins 
to  which  my  nature  was  strongly  inclined;  preserve 
me  from  all  those  abuses  of  health  I  am  apt  to  incur; 
and  purify  my  soul  from  all  that  dross,  and  from  all 
those  vicious  propcnsions  which  either  my  repentance 
has  left  behind,  or  which  I  have  since  contracted. 

O  my  God,  let  Thy  affliction  produce  my  amend- 
ment, and  all  the  happy  effects  in  me,  which  it  is 
wont  to  do  in  Thy  children,  and  which  Thou  in 
mercy  dost  design  it  should,  and  then  continue  Thy 
affliction,  if  it  seem  good  in  Thy  sight:  behold,  Lord, 
'happy  is  the  man  whom  Thou  thus  correctest.' 
Job  V.  7. 

What  is  best  for  me,  O  my  God,  I  know  not:  my 
flesh  desires  a  deliverance  from  this  distemper,  and 
if  it  be  Thy  pleasure,  O  Lord,  deliver  me:  my  spirit 
desires  that  Thou  only  wouldst  choose  for  me.  Do 
Thou  then,  O  Heavenly  Father,  choose  for  me,  be- 
cause Thou  art  my  Father,  and  out  of  Thy  fatherly 
tenderness  wilt  be  sure  to  choose  what  is  best  for 
me.     I  resign  my  own  w^ill  entirely  to  Thine.     Let 


340  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

me  be  enabled  to  say,  after  my  gracious  Saviour's 
example,  '  Father,  if  Thou  be  willing,  remove  this 
cup  from  me:  nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but  Thine, 
be  clone.'     St.  Luke  xxii.  42. 

Hear,  Lord,  and  have  compassion  on  me,  for  the 
merits  and  sufferings  of  Jesus  Christ,  whose  perfect 
resignation  may  I  always  imitate.     Amen. 

The  Eighteous  Eteknally  Secure. 

THIS  world  is  founded  upon  the  seas,  and  es- 
tablished on  the  floods;  the  very  foundation 
of  it  is  laid  in  mutability.  But  he  that  loves  God, 
and  trusts  in  His  Beloved,  is  like  Mount  Sion,  that 
cannot  be  removed,  but  stands  fast  for  ever;  he  is 
built  on  the  rock  of  ages,  he  stands  firm  on  a  height 
that  has  no  precipice — is  above  all  assaults — and  is 
in  eternal  security. 


THOMAS  COMBER,  D.  D. 
1644-1699. 

Meditations  on  the  Loed's  Supper.     I. 

OST  merciful  Jesus,  although  Thou 
reservest  the  full  manifestation  of  Thy 
love  to  my  soul  till  the  glorious  resur- 
rection, yet,  as  if  Thou  wert  impatient 
of  so  great  a  delay.  Thou  here  givest 
me  a  pledge  of  Thy  love,  and  an  earnest  of  my  title 
to  a  never  fading  bliss.  Thou  hast  dearly  bought  it 
for  me,  and  Thou  hast  freely  given  it  to  me ;  where- 
fore I  will  vigorously  seek  it,  patiently  wait  for  it, 
and  earnestly  expect  it.  Ah!  my  gracious  Re- 
deemer, here  I  am  vexed  with  crosses,  oppressed 
with  enemies,  troubled  with  corruptions,  and  tossed 
on  the  waves  of  a  thousand  sins  and  miseries.  But 
it  is  my  comfort,  amid  all  these  sorrows,  to  receive 
this  assurance  that  I  shall,  ere  long,  be  translated 
into  a  blissful  state,  never  to  know  sin  or  feel  pain ; 
to  be  in  danger  of  enemies  or  fear  of  evil  any 
more.  O  how  welcome  shall  be  that  blessed  hour 
that  summons  me  to  enter  into  the  joys  of  my 
Lord !  While  I  continue  here,  let  me  behave  my- 
self, O  my  Saviour,  as  the  heir  of  Tliy  kingdom, 
crucifying  those  sins  that  crucified  Thee,  and  would 


342  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

exclude  me  from  those  felicities  wliicli  Tliou  hast 
offered  me.  Lord,  I  would  hate  everything  that 
keeps  me  from  heaven,  and  love  nothing  but  what 
may  further  me  in  my  way  thither.  O  give  me 
Thy  grace  to  live  as  one  that  is  above  all  the  trifling 
pleasures  and  sorrows  of  this  lower  world,  and  to 
conduct  m^^self  as  becomes  an  heir  of  glory,  as  one 
designed  to  be  a  companion  of  angels,  and  to  partake 
of  Thy  bliss  for  ever  and  ever. 


II. 

WILL  go  to  Thy  table  with  joy  and  tell  of  Thy 
works  with  gladness,  O  most  mighty  Saviour, 
who  hast  not  only  died  for  my  sins,  but  risen  again 
for  my  justification.  Indeed,  what  comfort  would  I 
have  found  in  this  memorial  of  Thy  death,  if  it  had 
not  been  for  Thy  resurrection.  This  sacrament  then 
would  only  have  represented  Thy  sufferings,  and 
renewed  my  sorrow :  to  think  that  so  excellent  a  Per- 
son had  failed  of  my  deliverance!  but  now  it  is  be- 
come a  feast  of  joy,  because  it  is  an  assurance- of  Thy 
resurrection,  as  well  as  a  commemoration  of  Thy 
passion.  Since  Thou  livest,  glorified  Jesus,  we  live 
also.  Thy  resurrection  gives  life  to  our  hopes,  makes 
our  sorrows  light,  our  lives  cheerful,  and  our  death 
the  gate  of  immortality.  Our  fears  are  dispelled, 
and  our  troubled  hearts  are  quieted  with  this, — The. 
Lord  is  risen;  yea.  The  Lord  is  risen  indeed. 


THOMAS    COMBER. 


III. 


34:8 


BLESSED  Jesus,  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our 
faith,  who  art  the  same  yesterday^  to-day^  and 
for  ever;  Thou  hast  given  spiritual  meat  to  them  that 
fear  Thee,  and  ivilt  ever  be  mindful  of  Thy  covenant: 
but  my  goodness  is  as  a  morning  cloud  which  soon 
passes,  and  my  devotion  ^ze^  like  a  shadow  and  never 
continues  in  one  stay.  O  do  Thou  establish  me  ivith 
Thy  free  Spirit,  that  I  may  not  so  easily  forfeit  my 
comfort,  forget  my  duty,  and  break  my  vows,  as  I 
have  formerly  done.  How  unwearied  art  Thou, 
gracious  Saviour,  in  doing  well  unto  me!  How  con- 
stant is  Thy  love!  How  amiable  and  attractive  are 
Thy  endless  mercies  and  Thy  varied  graces!  And 
shall  I  be  so  ungrateful  to  Thee,  and  so  cruel  to 
myself,  as  to  forsake  Thee  and  my  own  happiness! 
Alas!  I  justly  suspect  my  own  weakness;  I  fear  the 
power  and  policy  of  my  enemies;  and  I  do  with 
shame  and  sorrow  call  to  mind  my  former  returns  to 
folly.  Therefore,  O  blessed  Redeemer!  I  do  most 
earnestly  entreat  Thee  never  to  leave  me  to  myself. 
I  beseech  Thee  to  give  me  constant  and  continual 
supplies  of  Thy  grace,  that  I  may  be  able  to  perform 
whatsoever  I  have  promised.  O  let  not  forgetful- 
ness  or  indevotion  seize  on  me  hereafter.  Let  me 
hold  fast  that  which  I  have,  and  daily  strive  to  gain 
more;  and  finally  make  me  faithful  unto  death;  and 
80  shall  I  receive  from  Thee  the  crown  of  life,  when 
I  appear  before  Thee  at  the  last  day. 


BEJ^JAMIN  JENKS. 
1646-1724. 

A  MOKNING   PeAYER. 

^^  LOED  God  Almiglity,  Tliou  art  the 
sovereign  Majesty  of  heaven  and  earth, 
against  whom  all  our  sins  have  been 
committed,  and  by  whom  alone  they  can 
be  pardoned !  there  is  none  but  Thee,  by 
whom  our  iniquities  can  be  subdued,  our  souls  be 
sanctified  or  our  necessities  suj^plied.  But  Thou 
art  able,  and  also  ready  to  hear  and  help,  to  bless 
and  save  Thy  people  that  call  upon  Thee;  Thou 
delightest  to  show  mercy,  and  lovest  the  occasions 
of  glorifying  Thy  compassion.  We  come  to  Thee 
therefore,  O  Lord,  begging  that  mercy,  which  Thou 
knowest  we  extremely  want,  and  grace  to  help  us 
in  this  time  of  our  need.  We  beg  the  same  for 
the  sake  of  Thine  infinitely  beloved  Son  who  alone 
is  worthy,  and  in  whose  precious  blood  is  all  our 
trust. 

We  are  unclean,  Lord,  we  are  unclean ;  and  Thou 
mayest  well  abhor  our  guilty  souls :  but  O  look  upon 
us  in  the  Son  of  Thy  love ;  and  prepare  us  for  the 
mercies  which  Thou  hast  treasured  up  for  us  in  Him. 
Make  us  to  feel  the  burden  and  the  bitterness  ot 


BENJAMIN    JENKS.  345 

our  sins;  nor  let  us  ever  attempt  to  cover  and  con- 
ceal them,  lest  they  find  us  out  at  the  last,  and  over- 
whelm us  with  shame  and  misery.  Holy  Father! 
carry  on  with  power  Thy  great  work,  even  the  work 
of  faith  and  the  sanctification  of  our  souls.  Quicken 
us,  O  Lord  our  God,  and  stir  us  up  to  Thy  work; 
and  assist  us  in  the  performance  of  all  our  duties, 
which  of  ourselves  Thou  knowest  we  are  unable  to 
perform.  Work  in  us  to  will  and  to  do  of  Thy  good 
pleasure;  establish  the  things,  O  God,  which  Thou 
hast  already  wrought  for  us;  and  go  on  to  work 
mightily  upon  our  hearts  by  Thy  grace,  till  our  souls 
are  fitted  for  the  enjoyment  of  Thy  glory. 

Gracious  Lord,  Thy  mercies  are  fresh  and  new  to 
us  every  morning.  We  have  laid  us  down  and  slept, 
and  awaked  again;  for  Thou  hast  sustained  us:  Thou 
hast  kept  us  from  the  terrors  of  the  night  and  from 
all  evil  accidents;  so  that  we  are  once  more  risen  in 
peace  and  sa/ety.  Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  God  of  our 
salvation,  who  art  still  so  mindful  of  us,  so  merciful 
unto  us.  Go  on,  we  pray  Thee,  to  be  good  to  us 
this  day,  and  teach  us  how  to  demean  ourselves 
aright,  and  to  order  our  affairs  to  Thy  glory.  O 
direct  our  undertakings  and  prosper  our  endeavors. 
Rule  our  hearts  in  Thy  fear  and  love,  and  keep  us 
living  to  Thy  praise  and  honor.  Behold,  we  com- 
mit ourselves  to  Thee,  and  shelter  ourselves  under 
the  shadow  of  Thy  wings:  O  keep  us  from  evil,  and 
help  us  to  do  that  which  is  good  and  pleasing  to  our 
God,  through  Jesus  Christ.     Give  us.  Lord,  all  that 

we  have  asked  as  we  should;  foroivc  us  all  that  we 

15*  '        ° 


346  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 


have  asked  amiss;  and  bestow  on  us  all  things  need- 
ful, which  we  should  have  asked;  and  which  we  con- 
tinue to  ask,  in  the  comprehensive  words  of  Thy 
dear  Son — Our  Father,  &c. 


o 


An  Evening  Peayee. 

UR  ever  blessed  and  most  gracious  God!  Thou 
art  the  Lord  and  giver  of  our  lives,  and  of  all 
the  blessings  we  enjoy.  To  Thee  we  owe  ourselves, 
and  all  that  we  are  capable  of  rendering  unto  Thee. 
For  by  Thee,  O  Lord,  we  were  created;  and  through 
Thy  good  Providence  it  is  that  we  have  been  spared 
and  provided  for  unto  this  present  time.  From 
Thee,  our  God,  comes  all  our  help;  and  in  Thee  is 
reposed  all  our  hope.  Thou  art  the  bountiful  giver 
of  all  the  good  that  our  souls  desire,  and  the  merci- 
ful withhoider  of  all  the  evil  that  our  sins  deserve. 
We  acknowledge  Thy  great  and  daily  goodness  to 
us,  and  our  own  exceeding  unworthiness  of  the  least 
of  all  Thy  mercies.  We  take  shame  and  confusion 
to  ourselves,  that  we  have  so  little  improved  and  so 
greatly  aliused  all  Thy  patience  with  us,  and  all  the 
various  instances  of  Thy  bounty  to  us.  We  confess 
it  to  be  a  heinous  aggravation  of  our  ofiences,  that 
we  have  done  so  much  against  Thee,  after  all  the 
great  things  Thou  hast  done  for  us.  But  we  desire, 
O  Lord,  to  be  humbled  for  our  offences;  and  we  en- 
treat Thy  gracious  favor,  in  Christ  Jesus,  for  the 
pardon  of  them.  Forgive  us,  we  pray  Thee,  for  His 
sake,  all  the  sins  that  ever  we  have  committed 
against   Thee,    and   absolve    us   from   all   the   evil 


P>Ex\ JASMIN    JExNKS.  347 

whereof  we  now  stand  gnilty  before  Thee.  And, 
being  justified  by  faith,  let  us  have  peace  with  God, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

And  seeing  Tliou  art  pleased  yet  to  hold  our  souls 
in  life,  and  to  make  us  find  and  feel,  by  every  day's 
experience,  how  abundantly  gracious  and  merciful 
Thou  art,  O  give  us  hearts  more  sensible  of  Thy  love, 
more  afiected  with  Thy  mercy,  and  more  thankful 
for  those  continued  favors,  which  Thou  art  pleased 
to  multiply  unto  us.  And  help  us  to  show  forth 
Thy  praise,  not  only  by  speaking  good  of  Thy  name, 
but  by  ordering  our  conversation  aright,  and  by 
adorning  the  gospel  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things. 

And  now,  most  merciful  Father,  we  humbly  recom- 
mend ourselves,  and  all  that  we  have,  to  Thy  care 
and  protection;  beseeching  Thee,  for  Thy  dear  Son's 
sake,  to  preserve  and  defend,  to  bless  and  keep  us, 
both  in  soul  and  body.  We  know  that  by  reason 
of  our  weakness  and  wickedness  we  are  exposed  to 
many  and  great  dangers;  but  we  commit  ourselves' 
to  Thee,  trusting  that  Thou  wilt  sustain  us.  O  be 
with  us  through  the  night  season  and  grant  us  com- 
fortable repose;  that  our  frail  nature  being  refreshed, 
and  our  decayed  strength  renewed,  we  may  rise 
as^ain  better  fitted  for  the  duties  of  the  followino- 
day,  if  Thou  shalt  be  pleased  to  add  another  day  to 
our  lives.  And  as  Thou  daily  multiplicst  Thy 
mercies  to  us,  be  pleased  also  to  increase  our  repent- 
ance, and  to  renew  us  daily  after  Thine  image:  that 
every  day  may  not  only  bring  us  nearer  to  Thy  king- 
dom, but  make  us  fitter  for  the  enjoyment  of  that 


348  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

glory  which  Thou  hast  prepared  for  them  that  love 
Thee. 

Accept  these  our  prayers,  most  gracious  and  mer- 
ciful Lord  God:  and  for  all  the  good  things  we  have 
received,  or  at  present  enjoy,  or  hope  for  in  future 
from  Thy  bountiful  hands,  enable  us  to  render  our 
grateful  thanks:  and  let  it  be  our  employment  now, 
as  we  hope  it  shall  be  hereafter,  abundantly  to  utter 
the  memory  of  Thy  great  goodness,  and  to  sing  of 
Thy  praise  without  ceasing.     Amen  and  Amen. 

A  Peayer  on  Going  Abroad. 

OLORD!  Thou  art  the  same  God  in  all  places: 
and  nowhere  can  I  go  but  Thou  art  there. 
Both  at  home  and  abroad,  on  my  way  and  at  the  end, 
Thou  art  ever  with  me,  by  Thine  universal  presence. 

0  let  me  also  experience  the  presence  of  Thy  grace, 
and  of  Thy  good  Spirit  wath  me;  to  conduct  and 
guide  me  continually,  to  protect  and  save  me  from 

'all  dangers  and  mischiefs,  and  to  make  my  w^ay  pros- 
perous and  all  my  affairs  successful.  Let  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Lord  folloAv  me  and  rest  upon  mer-  and  do 
Thou  preserve  my  going  out  and  my  coming  in;  and 
never  leave  me  nor  forsake  me,  O  Lord,  but  be  my 
God  and  guide  this  day,  in  all  this  journey  and  all 
my  life  long.  And  make  me  to  feel  that  my  w^hole 
life  is  but  a  pilgrimage  and  passage  through  this 
world;  in  which  I  am  continually  hastening  home 
to  the  end  of  all  my  travels,  and  to  the  place  ^vhere 

1  must  take  up  my  everlasting  abode. 

O  merciful  God!  make  me  continually  mindful  of 


BENJAMIN    JENKS.  3^9 

that  progress,  and  of  that  journey's  end:  and  keep 
me  from  either  wandering  from  Thy  way  or  falling 
into  sin  of  an}^  kind;  which  would  be  the  greatest 
evil  that  could  come  upon  me.  Take  care  of  me,  I 
beseech  Thee,  and  lead  me,  and  keep  me:  and  after 
all  my  journeyings  here,  O  bring  me  safe  at  last  to 
Thy  holy  hill,  and  to  Thy  heavenly  rest;  even  to 
that  blessed  end  of  my  faith,  the  everlasting  salva- 
tion of  my  soul.  I  humbly  ask  this  through  the 
greatness  of  Thy  mercy  to  me  in  Thy  dear  Son,  my 
gracious  Lord  and  only  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

A  Peayer  for  Faith  and  Trust  in  God. 

WITHOUT  faith,  it  is  impossible  to  please  Thee, 
O  God:  and  therefore  I  come  to  beg  of 
Thee  that  faith  which  is  Thy  gift.  Lord,  help  my 
unbelief;  and  increase  my  faith.  Whatever  Thou 
hast  revealed,  let  me  take  it  upon  the  credit  of  Thy 
word:  and  where  I  have  Thy  promise,  let  me  not 
stagger  through  unbelief,  but  fully  persuade  myself 
that  it  shall  be  as  Thou  hast  said.  O  bless  and  en- 
rich my  soul  with  such  a  holy,  lively  and  unfeigned 
faith,  as  may  enlighten  my  mind  and  purify  my 
hearty  and  influence  my  whole  life;  such  a  faith  as 
may  enable  me  to  receive  Jesus  Christ  for  my  Sa- 
viour, and  heartily  to  give  up  myself  to  Him  as  my 
Lord:  that,  being  ruled  and  sanctified  l)y  Him  in 
this  life,  I  may  be  for  ever  saved  and  glorified  by 
Him  in  the  life  that  is  to  come.  O  help  me  so  to 
assent  unto  the  truths,  that  I  may  also  consent  to  the 
terms   of  the   gospel.     And   give  me   that  effectual 


350  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

faith  Avliich  shall  work  by  love;  that  faith  which 
shall  enable  me  to  overcome  the  world,  and  to  fix 
my  attention  on  those  great  and  glorions  things 
which  are  nnseen  and  eternal. 

In  my  greatest  darkness  and  distress,  O  let  me 
trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  and  stay  myself  upon 
my  God;  committing  my  ways  unto  Thee,  and  cast- 
ing my  burthen  upon  Thee,  and  putting  my  trust  in 
Thee,  though  Thou  slay  me.  Let  me  trust  in  Thine 
almighty  power  to  help  and  save;  in  Thy  tender  in- 
clinations to  pity  and  relieve;  and  in  the  sure  pro- 
mises which  Thy  love  hath  made  (and  which  Thy 
faithfulness  will  certainly  make  good)  unto  all  that 
wait  and  call  upon  Thee.  And  though  I  am  not 
presently  answered  in  the  Welshes  of  my  heart,  O  let 
me  tarry  and  wait  patiently  for  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord;  and  have  my  eyes  upon  the  Lord  my  God,  till 
Thou  have  mercy  upon  me.  Yea,  make  me  so  sound 
and  strong  in  the  faith,  that  my  faith  may  never  fail : 
J)ut  that  it  may  be  found  to  praise  and  honor  and 
glory  in  every  time  of  trial;  and  at  the  great  appear- 
ino;  of  oui  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

A  Pkayer  for  Increase  of  Grace. 

BLESSED  Saviour!  who  earnest  into  the  world 
that  we  might  have  life,  and  have  it  more 
abundantly,  let  me  receive  out  of  Thy  fulness  grace 
sufficient  for  me;  that  I  may  be  strong  in  the  Lord, 
and  ready  to  every  good  work.  My  Life,  my  Strength 
and  my  Redeemer!  leave  me  not  under  the  curse  of 
barrenness,  to  halt  or  decline  in  my  S2:)iritual  estate: 


BENJAMIN    JENKS.  351 

but,  as  Thou  liast  wrought  all  my  works  in  me, 
stablish,  I  beseech  Thee,  that  which  Thou  hast 
wrought  for  me;  and  strengthen  the  things  which 
remain,  that  are  ready  to  die.  Let  the  seeds  of  grace 
which  Thou  hast  sown  in  my  heart  be  watered  by 
Thy  good  Spirit;  that  my  soul  may  prosper  and  in- 
crease with  the  increase  of  God,  even  as  a  watered 
garden  or  as  a  spring  whose  waters  fail  not.  Make 
me  to  grow  in  knowledge  and  in  grace;  and  to 
abound  in  all  those  fruits  of  righteousness,  which  are 
by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  glory  and  praise  of  God;  so 
that  I  may  have  the  witness  in  myself,  that  I  am 
Thy  servant.  O  my  Lord,  carry  on  with  power  the 
work  of  faith  and  holiness  in  my  soul;  that  my  sin- 
ful corruption  may  grow  weaker  and  weaker;  and 
Thy  grace  in  me  may  grow  stronger  and  stronger; 
till,  from  groaning  under  the  body  of  sin  and  death, 
I  come  to  triumph  over  all  the  enemies  of  my  soul. 
And  as  Thou  art  pleased  to  afford  me  the  means  of 
grace,  O  grant  me  the  increase  of  Thy  grace  that 
they  may  not  be  lost  upon  me;  but  that  in  the  use 
of  them  I  may  be  made  still  wiser  and  holier  and 
better,  and  fitter  for  Thy  blessed  acceptance  in  Jesus 
Christ  my  only  Saviour.     Amen. 

A  PiixWER  FOR  God's  Gracious  Presence. 

MY  Lord  and  my  God!  whom  have  I  in  heaven 
but  Thee?  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  that 
I  desire  besides  Thee.  O  be  not  as  a  stranger  to  the 
soul  in  Avhicli  Thou  hast  planted  an  inclination  to 
serve  Thee:  but  bless  and  honor  me  with  that  divine 


352  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

fellowship  of  which  Thou  hast  made  me  capable,  and 
which  my  soul  panteth  after.  O  give  me  the  satis- 
faction to  find  that  Thou  hast  given  me  a  heart  to 
seek.  Yea,  give  me  grace,  O  my  Lord,  to  go  on 
seeking  till  I  find  Thee,  whom  my  soul  desires  above 
ail  to  love.  Let  me  endure  any  thing  rather  than 
Thine  absence  and  displeasure;  and  desire  nothing 
so  much  as  Thy  presence  and  favor. 

And  be  not  Thou  far  from  me,  O  my  God;  but 
let  me  experience  Thy  gracious  presence  with  me, 
and  behold  Thy  goodness  passing  before  me.  Lord 
Jesus,  Thou  hast  promised  to  be  with  Th}^  people 
even  to  the  end  of  Thy  Avorld:  O  come,  be  with  my 
spirit  and  dwell  in  my  heart  by  faith.  Be  with  me, 
O  ni}'  Saviour,  every  where  and  at  all  times,  in 
health  and  in  sickness,  in  prosperity  and  trouble,  in 
all  estates  and  in  all  events  and  circumstances  of  my 
life;  let  Thy  presence  sanctify  and  sweeten  to  me 
whatever  befalls  me.  Never  leave  nor  forsake  me 
in  my  present  pilgrimage,  but  abide  with  me  till 
Thou  hast  brouo^ht  me  safe  throuo-h  all  trials  and 
dangers  to  Thy  heaA^enly  kingdom;  that  I  may  there 
dwell  in  Thy  sight  and  enjoy  Thy  love,  and  inherit 
Thy  glory  for  evermore.     Amen. 

A  Pkayer  on  Peeparatiox  for  Death. 

LORD,  what  is  our  life  but  a  vapor,  that  appears 
for  a  little  time  and  then  vanisheth  awa}^!  Even 
at  the  longest,  how  short!  and  at  the  strongest,  how 
frail!  and  when  we  think  ourselves  most  secure,  yet 
we  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth,  nor  how 


BENJAMIN    JENKS.  353 

soon  Thou  mayest  come  to  call  us  to  our  last  account. 

Quickly  shall  we  be  as  water  spilt  on  the  ground, 

that  cannot  be  gathered  up  again;   quickly  snatched 

away  from  hence,  and  our  place  here  shall  kuow  us 

no  more  for  ever.     Our  daj^s,  one  after  another,  are 

spent  apace:  and  we  know  not  how  near  to  us  is  our 

last  day,  when  our  bodies  shall  be  laid  in  the  grave, 

and  our  souls  be  called  to  appear  at  the  tribunal  of 

God,  to  receive  their  eternal  doom.     Yet  how  have 

...  •  . 

I  lived  in  this  world,  as  if  I  should  never  leave  it; 

hoAv  unmindful  of  my  latter  end!  how  improvident 
of  my  time!  how  careless  of  ni}^  soul!  how  negligent 
in  my  preparation  for  my  everlasting  condition!  so 
that  Thou  mayest  justly  bring  my  last  hour  as  a 
snare  upon  me,  to  surprise  me  in  my  sins,  and  to  cut 
me  off  in  my  iniquities.  But,  O  Father  of  mercies, 
remember  not  my  sins  against  me;  but  remember 
Thy  own  tender  mercies  and  Thy  loving  kindnesses, 
which  have  been  ever  of  old.  O  remember  how 
short  my  time  is;  and  spare  me,  that  I  may  recover 
strength  before  I  go  hence  and  be  no  more  seen. 
Make  me  so  wise  as  to  consider  my  latter  end:  and 
teach  me  so  to  number  my  daj^s  that  I  may  apply 
my  heart  to  true  wisdom.  Lord,  what  have  I  to  do 
in  this  world  but  to  make  ready  for  the  world  to 
come!  O  that  I  may  be  mindful  of  it,  and  be  care- 
ful to  finish  my  work  before  I  finish  my  course! 

In  the  days  of  my  health  and  prosperity,  O  that  I 
may  remember  and  provide  for  the  time  of  trouble, 
and  sickness  and  death,  when  the  world's  enjo^^ments 
Avill  shrink  away  from  me,  and  prove  utterly  unable 


354  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

to  support  and  comfort  me.  Let  me  never  allow 
myself  in  any  course  of  living  wherein  I  would  be 
loath  or  afraid  to  die.  But  let  me  see  my  corrup- 
tions mortified  and  subdued,  that  they  may  never  rise 
up  in  judgment  against  me.  Enable  me  so  to  die 
unto  sin  daily  that  I  may  not  die  for  sin  eternally. 
Instruct  me,  good  Lord,  and  assist  me  in  my  prepa- 
ration for  a  dying  hour:  that  I  may  not  then  be 
fearfully  surprised;  but  may  meet  it  with  comfort 
and  composure.  Quicken  me  to  a  serious  concern 
about  that  great  work:  and  help  me  to  perform  it 
acceptably  and  with  good  success.  O  that  I  may  be 
fitted  for  heaven  ere  I  leave  this  earth,  and  may  have 
peace  with  God  through  Jesus  Christ,  before  I  de- 
part hence  into  that  state  in  which  I  must  abide  for 
ever!  O  my  Lord,  make  me  so  ready  to  meet  Thee 
at  Thy  coming,  that  Thine  appearance  may  be  the 
matter  of  my  hopes  and  desires,  and  joyful  expecta- 
tions: that  I  may  look  and  long  for  that  blessed 
time  when  Thou  wilt  put  an  everlasting  period  to 
all  my  troubles  and  temptations,  and  exchange  my 
present  state  of  infirmity  and  sin  for  a  state  of  end- 
less happiness  and  glory.  O  Thou  who  art  my  life 
and  my  strength,  help  me  so  to  live  as,  at  the  hour 
of  death,  I  shall  wish  I  had  lived;  and  so  to  make 
ready  for  death  all  my  days  that,  at  my  last  day,  I 
may  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  die,  and  cheerfully  to 
resign  my  spirit  into  Thy  gracious  hands.  O  my 
Father,  hear  and  answer  my  humble  petitions;  and 
let  me  find  a  merciful  admission  to  Thy  favor  and 
Thv  Idnjrdom,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 


MATTHEW  HEjNTRY. 
1662-1714. 

Pleasuees  of  Communion  With  God. 

^>V''^^J^  DAY  in  God's  courts,  and  an  hour 
at  His  table  in  communion  witli  Him, 
is  very  pleasant,  better  than  a  thou- 
sand days,  than  ten  thousand  hours, 
in  any  of  the  enjoyments  of  sense;  but 
this  very  much  increaseth  the  pleasantness  of  it, 
that  it  is  the  pledge  of  a  blessed  eternity,  which 
we  hope  to  spend  within  the  veil,  in  the  vision 
and  fruition  of  God.  Sabbaths  are  sweet,  as  they 
are  earnests  of  the  everlasting  sabbatism,  or  keep- 
ing of  a  Sabbath,  (as  the  apostle  calls  it,  Heb.  iv. 
9,)  which  remains  for  the  people  of  God.  Gospel 
feasts  are  therefore  sweet,  because  earnests  of  the 
everlasting  feast,  to  which  we  shall  sit  down  with 
Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob.  The  joys  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  are  sweet,  as  they  are  earnests  of  that 
joy  of  our  Lord,  into  which  all  Christ's  good  and 
faithful  servants  shall  enter.  Praising  God  is  sweet, 
as  it  is  an  earnest  of  that  blessed  state,  in  which  we 
shall  not  rest  day  or  night  from  praising  God.  The 
communion  of  saints  is  SAveet,  as  it  is  an  earnest  of 


356  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

the  pleasure  we  hope  to  have  in  the  '  general  assem- 
bly, and  church  of  the  first-born,'  Heb.  xii.  23. 

They  that  travel  wisdom's  ways,  though  sometimes 
they  find  themselves  walking  in  the  low  and  dark- 
some valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  where  they  can 
see  but  a  little  way  before  them,  yet  at  other  times 
they  are  led  with  Moses  to  the  top  of  Mount  Pisgah, 
and  thence  have  a  pleasant  prospect  of  the  land  of 
promise,  and  the  glories  of  that  good  land,  not  with 
such  a  damp  upon  the  pleasure  of  it  as  Moses  had, 
Dent,  xxxiv.  4,  '  Thou  shalt  see  it  with  thine  eyes, 
but  thou  shalt  not  go  over  thither;'  but  such  an  ad- 
dition to  the  pleasure  of  it  as  Abraham  had,  when 
God  said  to  him.  Gen.  xiii.  14,  15,  'All  the  land 
which  thou  seest,  to  thee  will  I  give  it.'  Take  the 
pleasure  of  the  prospect,  as  a  pledge  of  the  posses- 
sion shortly. 

Exercise  of  Holy  Joy  and  Peaise. 

LET  us  be  much  in  the  exercise  of  holy  joy,  and 
employ  ourselves  much  in  praise.  Joy  is  in  the 
heart  of  praise;  as  praise  is  the  language  of- joy;  let 
us  engage  ourselves  to  these,  and  quicken  ourselves 
in  these.  God  has  made  these  our  duty,  by  these  to 
make  all  the  oth^r  parts  of  our  duty  pleasant  to  us; 
and  for  that  end  we  should  abound  much  in  them, 
and  attend  upon  God  with  joy  and  praise.  Let  us 
not  crowd  our  spiritual  joys  into  a  corner  of  our 
hearts,  nor  our  thankful  praises  into  a  corner  of  our 
prayers,  but  give  both  scope  and  vent  to  both.  Let 
us  live  a  life  of  delight  in  God,  and  love  to  think  of 


MATTHEW    HENRY.  357 

Him  as  we  do  of  one  whom  we  love  and  value.  Let 
the  flowing  in  of  every  stream  of  comfort  lead  us  to 
the  fountain;  and  in  every  thing  that  is  grateful  to  us, 
let  us  '  taste  that  the  Lord  is  gracious.'  Let  the  dry- 
ing up  of  every  stream  of  comfort  drive  us  to  the 
fountain;  and  let  us  rejoice  the  more  in  God  for  our 
being  deprived  of  that  which  we  used  to  rejoice  in. 
Let  us  be  frequent  and  large  in  our  thanksgiving;  it 
will  be  pleasant  to  us  to  recount  the  favors  of  God, 
and  thus  to  make  some  returns  for  them,  though  poor 
and  mean,  yet  such  as  God  will  graciously  accept. 
We  should  have  more  pleasure  in  our  religion,  if  we 
had  but  learned  'in  every  thing  to  give  thanks,' 
1  Thess.  V.  18,  for  that  takes  out  more  than  half  the 
bitterness  of  our  afflictions,  that  we  can  see  cause 
even  to  be  thankful  for  them;  and  it  infuseth  more 
than  a  double  sweetness  into  our  enjoyments,  that 
they  furnish  us  with  matter  for  that  excellent  heav- 
enly work  of  praise;  'sing  praises  unto  His  name, 
for  it  is  pleasant,'  comfortable,  as  well  as  comely. 
Psalm  cxxxv.  3. 

Meditation  on  the  Heavenly  Rest. 

LET  us  converse  much  with  the  glory  that  is  to 
be  revealed.  They  that  by  faith  send  their 
hearts  and  best  affections  before  them  to  heaven, 
while  they  are  here  on  this  earth,  may  in  return  fetcli 
thence  some  of  those  joys  and  pleasures  that  are  at 
God's  right  hand.  That  which  goes  up  in  vapors 
of  holy  desire,  though  insensible,  in  'groanings 
wliich  cannot  l)e  uttered  '  will  come  down  airain  in 


358  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGIirS. 

dews  of  heavenly  consolations,  that  will  make  the 
soul  as  a  watered  garden.  Let  us  look  much  to  the 
end  of  our  way,  how  glorious  it  will  be,  and  that 
will  help  to  make  our  way  pleasant.  This  abund- 
antly satisfies  the  saints,  and  is  the  fatness  of  God's 
house  on  earth,  Psalm  xxxvi.  8,  9.  This  makes  them 
now  to  drink  of  the  river  of  God's  pleasures,  that 
with  Him  is  the  fountain  of  life,  whence  all  these 
streams  come,  and  in  His  light  they  hope  to  see 
light, — everlasting  light.  By  frequent  meditations 
on  that  rest  which  remains  for  the  people  of  God, 
Heb.  iv.  3,  we  now  enter  into  that  rest,  and  partake 
of  the  comfort  of  it.  Our  hopes  of  that  happiness 
through  grace  would  be  very  much  strengthened, 
and  our  evidences  for  it  cleared  up  insensibly,  if  we 
did  but  converse  more  with  it,  and  the  discoveries 
made  of  it  in  the  Scripture.  We  may  have  foretastes 
of  heavenly  delights,  while  we  are  here  on  earth, — 
clusters  from  Canaan,  while  we  are  yet  in  this  wilder- 
ness,— and  no  pleasures  are  comparable  to  that  which 
these  afford.  That  is  the  sweetest  joy  within  us,  which 
is  borrowed  from  the  joy  set  before  us;  and  we  de- 
prive ourselves  very  much  of  the  comfort  of  our  re- 
ligion, in  not  having  our  e^^e  more  to  that  joy.  We 
rejoice  most  triumphantly,  and  with  the  greatest  de- 
grees of  holy  glorying,  when  we  *  rejoice  in  hope  of 
the  glory  of  God,'  Eom.  v.  2.  In  this  our  heart  is 
glad,  and  our  glory  rejoiceth.  Psalm  xvi.  9. 


matthew  henry.  359 

The  Bible. 

LET  us  value  the  Bible  as  the  best  book,  because 
it  is  a  book  for  the  soul;  it  discovers  our  souls 
to  us  as  a  glass,  aucl  is  a  '  clisccruer  of  the  thoughts 
aucl  inteuts  of  the  heart.'  It  discovers  to  our  souls 
the  way  that  leads  to  their  present  and  future  hap- 
piness. In  the  Scriptures  we  think  we  have  eternal 
life, — life  for  the  soul.  It  is  the  excellency  of  the 
word  of  God,  that  it  '  converteth  the  soul,  it  enlight- 
ens the  mind,  it  rejoiceth  the  heart;'  and  for  this  we 
should  value  it,  because  it  makes  the  soul  wise  to 
salvation,  and  furnisheth  it  for  every  thing  that  is 

good. 

Pious  Ejaculations. 

BE  frequent  and  serious  in  pious  ejaculations. 
In  waiting  upon  God  we  must  often  speak  to 
Him, — must  take  all  occasions  to  speak  to  Him, — 
and  when  we  have  not  opportunity  for  a  solemn  ad- 
dress to  Him,  He  will  accept  of  a  sudden  address, 
if  it  come  from  an  honest  heart.  In  these  David 
waited  on  God  all  day,  as  appears  by  Psalm  xxv.  1, 
'Unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul,'  to  Thee 
do  I  dart  it,  and  all  its  gmcious  breathings  after 
Thee.  We  should  in  a  holy  ejaculation  ask  pardon 
for  this  sin,  strength  against  this  corruption,  victory 
over  this  temptation,  and  it  shall  not  be  in  vain. 
This  is  to  pray  always,  and  without  ceasing.  It  is 
not  the  length  or  language  of  the  prayer  that  God 
looks  at,  but  the  sincerity  of  thq  heart  in  it;  and 
that  shall  be  accepted,  though  the  prayer  be  very 
fihort,  and  the  groanings  such  as  cannot  1)e  uttered. 


360  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

A  Life  of  Communion  AYith  God. 

IF  there  be  a  heaven  upon  earth,  certainly  this  is 
it,  by  faith  to  set  the  Lord  always  before  us, 
having  an  eye  to  Him  with  suitable  affections ,  as  the 
first  cause  and  last  end  of  all  thino's  that  concern  us. 
And  so,  having  communion  with  Him  in  providences 
as  well  as  ordinances,  when  we  receive  the  common 
comforts  of  every  day  from  His  hand  with  love  and 
thankfulness,  and  bear  the  common  crosses  and  dis- 
appointments of  every  day,  as  ordered  by  His  will, 
with  patience  and  submission;  w^hen  we  commit 
every  day's  care  to  Him,  and  manage  every  day's 
business  and  converse  for  Him;  having  a  constant 
habitual  regard  to  God  in  the  settled  principles  of 
the  divine  life,  and  frequent  actual  outgoings  of  soul 
towards  Him  in  pious  ejaculations,  the  genuine  ex- 
pressions of  devout  affections;  then  we  live  a  life  of 
communion  with  God.  Did  we  know  by  experience 
what  it  is  to  live  such  a  life  as  this,  we  would  not 
exchange  the  pleasures  of  it  for  the  peculiar  treas- 
ures of  kings  and  provinces. 

The  Soul's  Tkumph  Over  Death. 

LEARN  then,  my  soul,  learn  thou  to  triumph 
over  death  and  the  grave:  'O  Death  !  where  is 
thy  sting  ?  O  Grave  !  where  is  thy  victory  ?'  Hav- 
ing laid  up  thy  treasure  within  the  veil,  and  remitted 
thy  best  effects  and  best  affections  thither,  and  having 
received  the  earnest  of  the  purchased  possession,  be 
still  looking,  still  longing,  for  that  blessed  hope. 
Fear  not  death,  for  it  cannot  hurt  thee,  but  desire  it 


IMATTTfEW    HENRY.  361 

rather,  for  it  will  greatly  befriend  thee.  When  the 
*  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  shall  be  dissolved/ 
thou  shalt  remove  to  the  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens.  Wish  then,  wish  daily,  for 
the  coming  of  Thy  Lord,  for  He  shall  appear  to  thy 
joy.  '  The  vision  is  for  an  appointed  time,  and  at  the 
end  it  shall  speak,  and  shall  not  lie.'  Look  through 
the  windows  of  this  house  of  clay,  like  the  mother 
of  Sisera,  when  she  waited  for  her  son's  triumphs, 
and  ciy  through  the  lattice,  '  Why  is  His  chariot  so 
long  in  coming,  why  tarry  the  wheels  of  His  char- 
iot ?'  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly. 

Divine  Knowledge. 

THERE  is  no  pleasure  in  any  learning  like  that 
of  learning  Christ,  and  the  things  that  belong 
to  our  everlasting  peace;  for  that  which  is  known  is 
not  small  and  trivial,  is  not  doubtful  and  uncertain, 
is  not  foreign  to  us,  and  which  we  are  not  concerned 
in;  which  are  things  that  may  much  diminish  the 
pleasure  of  any  knowledge;  but  it  is  great  and  sure, 
and  of  the  last  importance  to  us,  and  the  knowledge 
of  it  gives  us  satisfaction:  hei'e  we  may  rest  our  souls. 
To  know  the  perfections  of  the  divine  nature,  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  divine  grace,  to  be  led  into  the 
mystery  of  our  redemption  and  reconciliation  by 
Christ,  this  is  food;  such  knowledge  as  this  is  a  feast 
to  the  soul;  it  is  meat  indeed,  and  drink  indeed;  it 
is  the  knowledo-e  of  that  which  the  ano^els  desire  to 
look  into,  1  Peter  i.  12.  If  the  knowledge  of  the 
law'of  God  w^as  so  sweet  to  David,   '  sweeter  than 

16 


362  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

honey  to  his  taste/  Psalm  xix.  10,  and  cxix.  103,  how 
much  more  so  should  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ  be  to  us  ?  When  God  gives  this  wisdom 
and  knowledge,  with  it  He  gives  joy  to  him  that  is 
good  in  His  sight,  Eccl.  iii.  26. 

A  Sacraj^iental  Petition. 

LORD,  meet  me  with  a  blessing,  a  Father's  blessing, 
at  Thy  table :  grace  Thine  own  institutions  with 
Thy  presence;  and  fulfil  in  me  all  the  good  pleasure 
of  Thy  goodness,  and  the  work  of  faith  with  power, 
for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  my  blessed  Saviour  and 
Redeemer.  To  Him,  with  the  Father,  and  the  Eter- 
nal Spirit,  be  everlasting  praise.     Amen. 


THOMAS  WILSON,  D.  D. 
1663-1755. 

Afflictions. 

rFLICTIONS  are  no  marks  of  God's 
displeasure.  Jesus  loved  Mary  and  Laz- 
arus, yet  they  were  both  afflicted. 

Punishment  is  due  to  sin.  We  must 
be  punished  here  or  hereafter;  it  is  the 
cause  of  all  afflictions,  and  designed  by  our  gracious 
God  to  bring  us  to  repentance. 

Prosperity  is  a  most  dangerous  state;  we  fancy  it 
IS  owning  to  our  merit,  and  it  is  followed  with  pride, 
neglect  of  duty,  fearlessness.  « 

It  is  happy  for  us  w^hen  God  counts  us  worthy  to 
suffer  for  His  name's  sake;  to  contend  with  Satan,  as 
Job  did,  and  be  able,  through  God's  grace,  to  over- 
come so  powerful  a  spirit. 

Afflictions,  undergone  with  resignation,  are  the 
great  test  of  our  love  of  God;  when  we  love  Him, 
when  He  chastens  us.  May  God  sanctify  all  our 
afflictions  to  us  all. 

May  I  receive  every  thing  from  Thy  hand  wdth 
patience  and  with  joy  ! 

Remember  me,  O  God,  in  the   day  of  trouble. 


364  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Secure  me,  by  Thy  grace,  from  all  excess  oi  fear, 
concern,  and  sadness. 

Let  the  afflictions  I  meet  with  be  in  some  measure 
serviceable  towards  the  appeasing  of  Thy  wrath. 
Let  them  prove  the  happy  occasion  of  forwarding 
my  conversion  and  salvation. 

The  Saviour's  Patience. 

WHAT  sorrows  did  He  undergo,  and  with  what 
patience  did  He  suffer  them  !  Patient  when 
Judas  uuAvorthily  betrayed  Him  w^ith  a  kiss;  patient 
when  Caiaphas  despitefully  used  Him;  patient  when 
hurried  from  one  place  to  another;  patient  when 
Herod  with  his  men  of  war  set  Him  at  naught; 
patient  when  Pilate  so  unrighteously  condemned 
Him;  patient  when  scourged  and  crowned  with 
thorns;  patient  when  His  cross  was  laid  upon  Him, 
when  He  was  reviled,  reproached,  scoffed  at,  and 
every  way  abused.  Lord  Jesus,  grant  me  patience, 
after  this  cxarRple  to  bear  Thy  holy  will  in  all  things. 

A  Prayer  for  Submission  of  Spirit. 

FORTIFY  my  soul,  blessed  Jesus,  with  the  same 
spirit  of  submission  with  which  Thou  under- 
wentest  the  death  of  the  Cross,  that  I  may  receive 
all  events  with  resignation  to  the  will  of  God;  that 
I  may  receive  troubles,  afflictions,  disappointments, 
sickness,  and  death  itself,  without  amazement;  these 
being  the  appointment  of  Thy  justice  for  the  punish- 
ment of  sin,  and  of  Thy  mercy  for  the  salvation  of 
sinners. 


THOMAS    WILSON.  365 

Let  this  be  the  constant  practice  of  my  life,  to  be 
pleased  with  all  Thy  choices,  that  when  sickness  and 
death  approach,  I  may  be  prepared  to  submit  my 
will  to  the  will  of  my  Maker. 

And  O  that,  in  the  mean  time,  my  heart  may 
always  go  along  with  my  lips  in  this  j^etition, — Thy 
will  he  done.     Amen. 

A  Morning  Prayer. 

BLESSED  be  the  Lord  for  His  mercies  renewed 
unto  me  every  morning;  for  my  ^^reservation 
and  refreshment^  and  for  all  the  l^lessings  of  the  night 
past; — for  which  all  thanks  and  glory  be  to  Thee, 
my  God  and  Father  ! 

Gracious  God,  continue  to  me  these,  and  all  other 
Thy  blessings,  so  long,  and  in  such  a  measure,  as 
shall  be  most  for  Thy  glory  and  my  salvation. 

Possess  my  soul,  I  beseech  Thee,  with  a  true  and 
saving  faith,  and  with  such  a  sense  of  Thy  goodness 
to  me,  and  of  my  dependance  upon  Thee,  that  it  may 
be  my  delight,  as  it  is  my  interest  and  duty,  to  serve 
and  obey  Thee. 

But  that  I  may  serve  Thee  with  a  quiet  mind,  for- 
give me  all  my  sins,  I  beseech  Thee,  for  Thy  dear 
Son's  sake,  and  withhold  the  judgments  of  which  my 
conscience  is  afraid. 

Keep  it  ever  in  the  heart  of  Thy  servant,  that  it  is 
an  evil  thing  and  bitter  to  forsake  and  offend  the 
Lord.  And  above  all  things,  Jceep  me  from  icilful 
and  deliberate  sins,  that  I  may  never  grieve  Thy 
Holy  Spirit,  nor  provoke  Thee  to  leave  me  to  myself. 


366  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Let  Thy  restraining  grace  preserve  me  from  the 
temptations  of  the  worlds  the  Jlesh^  and  the  devil; 
that  I  may  fall  into  no  sin,  nor  run  into  any  kind  of 
danger;  but  that  all  my  doings  may  be  ordered  by 
Thee,  that  I  may  do  always  that  which  is  righteous 
in  Thy  sight:  and  that  I  may  live  and  act  as  having 
Thee,  O  God,  the  constant  witness  of  all  my  thoughts, 
designs,  words,  and  actions. 

May  I  never  render  myself,  by  new  sins,  unworthy 
of  Thy  guidance  and  protection  ! 

Suffer  me  not  to  go  astray,  or  bring  me  back  by 
such  ways  as  to  Thee  shall  seem  meet. 

May  I  love  Thee  with  all  my  heart,  and  all  man- 
Idnd  for  Thy  sake  !  And  may  I  ever  have  this  sure 
proof  of  Thy  love  abiding  in  me,  that  I  study  to 
please  Thee,  and  to  keep  Th}^  commandments  !  And 
that  I  may  forgive,  and  love,  and  do  good  to  my 
neighbors,  as  becomes  a  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ ! 

Assist  me  by  Thy  grace,  faithfully  to  perform  all 
the  duties  of  my  calling;  and  thankfully  to  receive, 
and  patiently  to  bear,  whatever  Thy  providence  shall 
order  for  me. 

Preserve  me  from  an  idle  and  useless  life;  ever 
remembering,  that  the  night  cometh  when  no  man  can 
work;  and  that  now  is  the  time  in  which  to  provide 
for  eternity. 

And  grant,  O  Lord,  that  no  worldly  pleasure,  no 
worldly  business,  may  ever  make  me  lose  the  sight 
of  death. 

And  may  the  thoughts  of  death  oblige  me  to  be 
truly  and  sincerely  good;  to  mortify  all  ^9?7c7e,  and 


THOMAS    WILSON.  367 

vanity^  covetousness^  hatred,  envy,  and  malice;  to  be 
serious,  sober,  and  loatchful,  while  I  continue  in  this 
state  of  trial. 

Hear  me,  O  Heavenly  Father,  not  according  to  my 
imperfect  petitions,  but  according  to  the  full  mean- 
ing of  that  holy  prayer,  which  Thy  beloved  Son  hath 
taught  us,  in  compassion  to  our  infirmities: 

Our  Father,  which  art  in  heaven,  &c. 

The  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  (&c. 

An  Evening  Prayer. 

THAT  it  hath  pleased  Thee,  O  God,  to  add  an- 
other  day  to  the  years  of  my  life,  and  to  keep 
me  from  the  dangers  ^f  an  evil  world:  For  these, 
and  for  all  Thy  mercies  from  day  to  day  bestowed 
upon  me,  I  bless  Thy  good  and  gracious  iDrovidence, 
most  earnestly  beseeching  Thee  to  pardon  my  ofiences 
of  the  day  past,  and  to  grant  that  they  may  never 
rise  up  in  judgment  against  me. 

Lord,  the  frailty  of  man,  Avithout  Thee,  cannot  but 
fall:  in  all  temptations,  therefore,  I  beseech  Thee  to 
succor  me,  that  no  sin  may  ever  get  the  dominion 
over  me. 

Give  me  a  salutary  dread  of  the  corruption  of  my 
OAvn  heart:  Make  me  truly  sensible  of  the  end  of 
sin,  and  mindful  of  my  own  infirmities  and  back- 
slidinjrs. 

Vouchsafe  unto  all  sinners  a  true  sense  of  their 
unhappy  state,  a  fear  of  Thy  judgments,  and  grace 
and  strength  to  break  their  bonds. 

Enlighten  my  soul  with  saving  truth.    Correct  me 


368  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ill  mercy,  and  reduce  me  when  I  go  astray.  Make 
me  ever  mindful  of  my  latter  end,  and  fix  in  my 
heart  a  lively  sense  of  the  happiness  and  misery  of 
the  world  to  come. 

May  the  thoughts  of  death  mortify  in  me  all  pride 
and  covetousness,  and  a  love  for  this  world;  and  may 
my  firm  belief  of  a  judgment  to  come  make  me  ever 
careful  to  please  Thee,  my  Lord  and  Judge,  that  I 
may  find  mercy  at  that  day  ! 

Grant  that  I  may  lie  down  to  sleep  with  the  same 
charitable  and  forgiving  temper,  in  which  I  desire 
and  hope  to  die. 

And  may  the  Almighty  God  take  me,  and  all  that 
belong  to  me,  under  His  gracious  and  powerful  pro- 
tection !  May  He  give  His  angels  charge  concerning 
us,  and  keep  us  in  perpetual  peace  and  safety, 
throu£:h  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

St.  John,  xvi.  23.  Verily ^  I  say  unto  you^  What- 
soever ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name^  He  will 
give  it  you. 

Li  Thy  name,  O  Jesus,  and  in  the  full  meaning  of 
the  words  which  Thou  hast  taught  us,  I  piny  God, 
for  Thy  sake,  to  hear  me,  and  to  give  me  what  is 
most  convenient  for  me: 

Our  Father^  which  art  in  heaven^  i&c. 

The  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jesxis  Christy  (Mc, 


ISAAC  WATTS,  D.  D. 
1G74-1748. 

Holy  Breathings. 

HAPPY  day  and  liappj  hour  indeed, 
that  shall  finish  the  long  absence  of  my 
Beloved,  and  place  me  within  sight  of  my 
adored  Jesus!  When  shall  I  see  that 
lovely,  that  illustrious  Friend,  who  laid 
down  His  own  life  to  rescue  mine,  His  own  valua- 
ble life  to  ransom  a  worm,  a  rebel  that  deserved 
to  die?  He  suffered,  He  groaned.  He  died;  but 
He  rose  again,  the  blessed  Saviour  arose.  He 
lives.  He  reigns  exalted  over  all  the  creation. 
Faith  beholds  Him  risen,  and  reigning,  but  it  is 
through  a  glass,  it  is  at  a  distance,  and  but  dark- 
ly. I  wait,  I  hope  for  a  more  divine  pleasure;  it 
is  a  delight  worth  dying  for,  to  behold  Him  face 
to  face,  to  see  Him  as  He  is,  to  converse  with  His 
wondrous  person,  and  to  survey  His  glories.  Alas ! 
my  soul  is  too  patient  of  this  long  distance  and 
separation.  O  for  the  wings  of  love,  to  bear  my  spirit 
upward  in  holy  breathings!  Methinks  I  would 
long  to  be  near  Him,  to  be  with  Him,  to  give  Him 
my  highest  praises  and  thanks  for  my  share  in  His 
dying  love.     I  would  rise  to  join  with  the  blessed 


370  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

acclamations,  the  holy  songs  of  the  saints  on  high, 
while  they  behold  their  exalted  Saviour.  How  sweet 
their  songs  !  How  loud  their  acclamations  !  This  is 
the  man,  the  God-man  who  died  for  me  !  This  is  the 
Son  of  God,  who  was  buifetted,  who  was  crowned 
with  thorns,  who  endured  exquisite  anguish,  and  un- 
known sorrows  for  me,  who  was  scourged,  and  wound- 
ed, and  crucified  for  me  !  This  is  the  glorious  Per- 
son, the  Lamb  of  God,  who  washed  me  from  my 
sins  in  His  own  blood.  Blessing,  honor,  and  salva- 
tion to  His  holy  name  for  ever.     Amen. 

I  shall  behold  His  glories  there, 
And  pay  Him  my  eternal  share 
Of  praise,  and  gratitude,  and  love^ 
Among  ten  thousand  saints  above. 

Holy  Fortitude. 

GIVE  me,  O  my  God,  give  me  the  spirit  of 
prayer,  and  let  me  keep  ever  near  to  the  throne 
of  grace,  that  my  soul  may  not  come  thither  as  a 
stranger,  but  that  in  every  surprise  I  may  address 
Thee  as  a  God  near  at  hand,  and  that  in  the  name 
of  my  great  High  Priest,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  I 
may  find  grace  ready  to  help  me  in  the  time  of  need. 
Wean  me,  O  Lord,  from  all  the  delights  and  hopes 
of  flesh  and  sense !  Mortify  me  to  all  the  honors 
and  the  joys  of  a  perishing  life,  and  a  vain  world. 
Arm  my  soul  all  over  with  a  religious  hardiness,  that 
I  may  venture  into  the  field  of  battle,  and  may  scarce 
feel  the  wounds  which  I  receive  in  Thy  cause.  Give 
me  the  happy  skill  of  diverting  my  fears,  when  I 


ISAAC   WATTS.  371 

cannot  at  once  subdue  them,  and  lead  me  into  proper 
employments  of  my  heart  and  hand  for  this  jDur- 
pose. 

I  would  live  as  under  the  eye  of  God.  I  would 
take  notice  of  His  hand*in  all  the  affairs  of  life,  and 
all  the  danorers  that  attend  me.  I  Avould  learn  of 
Moses  to  endure  the  fight  of  afflictions,  as  seeing  Him 
who  is  invisible.  Let  me  hear  Thy  voice,  O  Jesus, 
my  Saviour,  let  me  hear  Thy  voice  walking  upon 
the  waters;  when  I  am  tossed  about  upon  the  waves  of 
distress  and  difficulty,  speak  to  my  soul  and  say.  It 
is  I^  be  not  afraid. 

I  would  be  bravely  prepared  for  the  worst  of  suf- 
ferings to  which  my  circumstances  in  this  life  may 
expose  me.  I  would  be  ready  to  meet  contempt  and 
scandal,  poverty,  sickness,  and  death  itself.  Jesus 
can  support  me  in  the  heaviest  distresses,  though  all 
the  sorrows  I  fear  should  come  upon  me.  He  can 
bear  me  on  the  wings  of  faith  and  hope,  high  above 
all  the  turmoils  and  disquietudes  of  life:  He  can  carry 
me  through  the  shadow  of  the  dark  valley,  and  scat- 
ter all  the  terrors  of  it.  Give  me,  O  Lord,  these 
wings  of  faith  and  hope,  and  bear  me  upon  them 
through  all  the  remains  of  my  short  journc}^  in  the 
wilderness:  Make  me  active  and  zealous  in  Thy 
cause  while  I  live,  and  convey  me  safely  above  the 
reach  of  fear,  through  the  valley  of  death,  to  the 
inheritan^je  prepared  for  me  in  the  land  of  light. 
Then  my  fears  shall  cease  for  ever,  for  enemies  and 
dangers  are  not  known  in  that  land.  There  all  our 
conflicts  shall  be  changed  into  everlasting  triumphs, 


372  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

while  songs  of  honor  and  salvation  ascend  in  a  full 
choir  to  the  grace  that  has  made  us  overcomers. 
Amen. 

Fly  to  tiie  Mercy-seat. 

FLY  daily  to  the  mercy-seat  for  divine  aidj  Com- 
mit thy  soul  and  body  to  the  keeping  of  Christ; 
He  is  exalted  and  authorized  to  take  care  of  sinners, 
who  make  Him  their  refuge;  He  is  also  compassion- 
ate, and  ready  to  succor  the  tempted.  There  is 
cleansing  virtue  in  the  blood  of  Christ  to  wash  away 
the  foulest  guilt,  and  to  sprinkle  the  conscience  of 
the  humble  penitent  with  peace  and  pardon;  and 
there  is  all-sufficient  power  and  grace  with  Him  to 
subdue  the  most  raging  vices.  Make  haste  to  Him 
by  humble  faith,  and  most  importunate  pra^^er;  Con- 
tinue instant  at  the  throne:  Never  rest  till  He  hath 
by  His  providence  and  His  grace  delivered  you  from 
the  dangerous  temptation,  or  made  you  conqueror 
over  the  sin  that  easily  besets  you.  There  are  a 
thousand  souls  in  heaven,  who  were  once  conflicting 
here  with  the  same  impure  temptations,  but  they 
gained  the  victory  by  the  blood  and  Spirit  of  Christ, 
cuicl  are  made  more  than  conquerors  through  Him  icho 
hath  loved  them. 

Uncertainty  of  Life. 

WE  are  all  borderers  upon  the  river  of  death, 
"which  conveys  us  into  the  eternal  w^orld,  and 
we  should  be  ever  waiting  the  call  of  our  Lord,  that 
we  may  launch  away  with  joy  to  the  regions  of  im- 
mortality: But  thoughtless  creatures  that  we  are,  we 


ISAAC   WATTS.  373 

are  perpetually  wandering  far  up  into  the  fields  of 
sense  and  time,  we  are  gathering  the  gay  and  fading 
flowers  that  grow  there,  and  filling  our  laps  with 
them  as  a  fair  treasure,  or  making  garlands  for  am- 
bition to  crown  our  brows,  till  one  and  another  of  us 
is  called  off  on  a  sudden  and  hurried  away  from  this 
mortal  coast:  Those  of  us  who  survive  are  surprised 
a  little,  we  stand  gazing,  we  follow  our  departing 
friends  with  a  weeping  eye  for  a  minute  or  two,  and 
then  we  fall  to  our  amusements  again  and  grow  busy, 
as  before,  in  gathering  the  flowers  of  time  and  sense. 
O  how  fond  we  are  to  enrich  ourselves  with  these 
perishing  trifles,  and  adorn  our  heads  with  honors 
and  withering  vanities,  never  thinking  Avhich  of  us 
may  receive  the  next  summons  to  leave  all  behind 
us  and  stand  before  God!  but  each  presumes  '  it  will 
not  be  sent  to  me.'  We  trifle  with  God  and  thing-s 
eternal,  or  utterly  forget  them,  Avhile  our  hands  and 
our  hearts  are  thus  deeply  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of 
our  earthly  delights:  All  our  powers  of  thought  and 
action  are  intensely  busied  amongst  the  dreams  of 
this  life,  while  we  are  asleep  to  God,  because  we 
vainly  imagine  He  will  not  call  us  yet. 

Awake  to  God. 

WHEN  we  are  awake,  we  are  not  only  fitter  for 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  to  call  us  away  by 
death,  and  fitter  for  His  appearance  to  the  great 
judgment,  but  we  are  better  prepared  also  to  attend 
Him  in  every  call  to  present  duty,  and  more  ready 
to  meet  His  appearance  in  every  providence.     It  is 


374:  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

the  Christian  soldier  Avho  is  ever  awake  and  ou  liis 
guard,  that  is  only  fit  for  every  sudden  appointment 
to  new  stations  and  services;  He  is  more  prepared 
for  any  post  of  danger  and  hazardous  enterprise,  and 
better  furnished  to  sustain  the  rouofhest  assaults. 
We  shall  be  less  shocked  at  sudden  afflictions  here 
on  earth,  if  our  souls  keep  heaven  in  view  and  are 
ready  winged  for  immortality.  When  we  are  fit  to 
die,  we  are  fit  to  live  also  and  to  do  better  service 
for  God,  in  whichsoever  of  His  worlds  He  shall 
please  to  appoint  our  station.  '  My  business,  O 
Father,  and  my  joy  is  to  do  Thy  will  among  the 
sons  of  mortality,  or  among  the  spirits  of  the  blessed 
on  high.' 

'  Let  us  remember  we  have  slept  too  long  already 
in  days  past,  and  it  is  but  a  little  while  that  we  are 
called  to  watch.'  We  have  worn  away  too  much  of 
our  life  in  sloth  and  drowsiness.  The  night  is  far 
spent  with  many  of  us,  the  day  is  at  hand;  it  is  noio 
high  time  to  atoahe  out  of  sleep,  for  now  is  our  salva- 
tion nearer  than  when  loe  first  believed,  Rom.  xiii.  11, 
22.  Another  hour  or  two,  and  the  night  will  be  at 
an  end  with  us;  Jesus,  the  Morning  Star,  is  just  ap- 
pearing: What,  can  we  not  watch  one  hour?  Matt. 
xxvi.  40.  O  happy  souls,  that  keep  themselves 
awake  to  God  in  the  midst  of  this  dreaming  world! 
Happy  indeed  when  our  Lord  shall  call  us  out  of 
these  dusky  regions,  and  we  shall  answer  His  call 
with  holy  joy  and  spring  upward  to  the  inheritance 
of  the  saints  in  lio'ht!  Then  all  the  seasons  of  dark- 
ness  and  slum])criug  will  be  finished  for  ever;  there 


ISAAC    WATTS.  375 

is  no  need  of  laborious  watchfulness  in  that  world, 
where  there  is  no  flesh  and  blood  to  hang  heavy 
upon  the  spirit;  but  the  sanctified  powers  of  the  soul 
are  all  life  and  immortal  vigor.  There  is  no  want 
of  the  sunbeams  to  make  their  daylight,  or  to  irra- 
diate that  city;  the,  glory  of  God  enlightens  it  with 
divine  splendors,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereof. 
Rev.  xxi.  23.  No  inhabitant  can  sleep  under  such  a 
united  blaze  of  grace  and  glory:  No  faintings  of  na- 
ture, no  languor  or  weariness  are  found  in  all  that 
vital  climate;  every  citizen  is  for  ever  awake  and  busy 
under  the  beams  of  that  glorious  day;  zeal  and  love, 
and  joy,  are  the  springs  of  their  eternal  activity,  and 
there  is  no  night  there,  Rev.  xxii.  5. 

Heavenly  Rest. 

THE  grace  of  God  works  us  up  to  a  preparation 
for  heaven,  '  by  carrying  us  through  those  trials 
and  sufieriugs,  those  labors  and  conflicts  here  in  this 
life,  which  will  not  only  make  heaven  the  sweeter  to 
us,  but  will  make  it  more  honorable  for  God  Him- 
self to  bestow  this  heaven  upon  us.'  When  the 
spirits  of  a  creature  are  almost  worn  out  with  the 
toilsome  labors  of  the  day,  what  an  additional  sweet- 
ness does  he  find  in  rest  and  repose  !  What  an  in- 
ward relish  and  satisfaction  to  the  soul,  that  has  been 
fatigued  under  a  long  and  tedious  war  with  sins  and 
temptations,  to  be  transported  to  such  a  place  where 
sin  cannot  follow  them,  and  temptation  can  never 
reach  them  !  How  will  it  enhance  all  the  felicities 
of  the  heavenly  world  when  we  enter  into  it,  to  feel 


376  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ourselves  released  from  all  the  trials  and  distresses, 
and  sufferings  which  we  have  sustained  in  our  travels 
thitherwards !  The  review  of  the  waves  and  the 
storms  wherein  we  had  been  tossed  for  a  long  season , 
and  had  been  almost  shipwrecked  there,  will  make 
the  peaceful  haven  of  eternity,  to  which  we  shall 
arrive,  much  more  agreeable  to  every  one  of  the 
sufferers,  2  Cor.  iv.  17,  Our  light  afflictions^  which  are 
hut  for  a  moment^  are  in  this  way  working  for  us  a 
far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory ^  and 
preparing  us  for  the  possession  of  it. 

There  shall  I  bathe  nw  weary  soul 

In  seas  of  heavenly  rest. 
And  not  a  wave  of  trouble  roll 

Across  my  peaceful  breast. 

No  Sorrow  in  Heaven. 

IN  that  world  there  is  no  ^rrow,  for  there  is  no 
sin;  the  inhabitants  of  that  city,  of  the  heavenly 
Jerusalem,  shall  never  say  I  am  sick;  for  the  people 
that  divell  therein  shall  be  forgiven  their  iniquity^ 
Isaiah  xxxiii.  24.  When  the  righteous  are  dismissed 
from  this  flesh  they  enter  into  peace,  their  bodies  7'est 
in  their  beds  of  earth,  and  their  spirits  walk  in 
heaven,  each  one  in  his  own  uprightness,  Isaiah  Ivii. 
2.  And  as  there  is  no  sin  within  them  to  render 
them  uneasy,  so  there  is  no  troublesome  guest,  no 
evil  attendant  without  them,  that  can  give  them  fear 
or  pain;  no  sinners  to  vex  them,  no  tempter  to  de- 
ceive them,  no  spirit  of  hell  to  devour  or  destroy, 
Isaiah  xxxv.  9,  10,  No  lion  shall  be  there,  nor  any 


ISAAC   WATTS.  377 

ravenous  beast  shall  go  up  thereon,  it  shall  not  befou7id 
there;  but  the  redeemed  shall  walk  there.  And  the 
ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return  and  come  to  Zion 
with  songs,  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads;  they 
shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorroio  and  sighing 
shall  flee  away. 


w 


Our  Pious  Departed  Friends. 
THEN  we  think  of  our  pious  friends  departed, 
our  foolish  imagination  is  too  ready  to  indulge 
and  improve  our  sorrow.  We  sit  solitary  in  the 
parlor  and  tlie  chamber,  we  miss  them  there,  and  we 
cry,  '  They  are  lost.'  We  retire  melancholy  to  the 
closet,  and  bewail  a  lost  father,  or  lost  mother,  or 
perhaps  a  nearer  and  dearer  relative.  We  miss  them 
in  our  daily  conversation,  we  miss  them  in  all  their 
friendly  offices,  and  their  endearing  sensible  charac- 
ters, and  we  are  ready  to  say  again,  '  Alas  !  they  are 
lost.'  This  is  the  language  of  flesh  and  blood,  of 
sense  and  fancy.  Come,  let  our  faith  teach  us  to 
think  and  speak  of  them  under  a  more  cheerful  and 
a  juster  representation:  They  are  not  utterly  lost,  for 
they  are  present  with  Christ  and  with  God.  They 
are  departed  our  world,  where  all  things  are  imper- 
fect, to  those  upper  regions  where  light  and  perfec- 
tion dwell.  They  have  left  their  offices  and  stations 
here  among  us,  but  they  are  employed  in  a  far  divin- 
er manner,  and  have  new  stations  and  nobler  offices 
on  high.  Their  places  on  earth  indeed  know  them 
no  more,  but  their  places  in  heaven  know  them  well, 
even  those  glorious  mansions  that  were  prepared  for 


378  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

them  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  Then*  place 
is  empty  in  the  earthly  sanctuary,  and  in  the  days 
of  solemn  assembly,  but  they  appear  above  in  the 
heavenly  Jerusalem  as  fair  pillars  an  d  ornaments  in 
the  temple  of  God  on  high,  and  shall  for  ever  dwell 
with  Him  there. 

Are  the  spirits  of  the  just,  who  are  departed  from 
earth,  made  perfect  in  heaven?  then  they  are  not  the 
proper  subjects  for  our  perpetual  sorrows  and  end- 
less complaints.  Let  us  moderate  our  grief,  there- 
fore, for  that  very  providence  that  has  fixed  them  in 
perfect  holiness  and  joy. 

We  lament  their  absence,  and  our  loss  indeed  is 
great;  but  the  spirit  of  Christian  friendship  should 
teach  us  to  rejoice  in  their  exaltation.  Is  it  no  plea- 
sure to  think  of  them  as  released  from  all  the  bonds 
of  infirm  nature,  from  pains  of  mortality,  and  the 
disquietudes  of  a  sinful  world  ?  Is  it  not  better  to 
lift  our  eyes  upward,  and  view  a  parent  or  beloved 
friend  adorned  with  perfect  grace  and  complete  in 
glory,  exulting  in  the  fulness  of  joy  near  the  throne 
of  God,  than  to  behold  him  laboring  under  the  tire- 
some disorders  of  old  age,  groaning  under  the  anguish 
and  torment  of  acute  distempers,  and  striving  with 
the  troublesome  attendants  of  this  sinful  and  painful 
state  ?  Do  we  profess  fondness  and  afiection  for  those 
that  are  gone,  and  shall  we  not  please  ourselves  a 
little  in  their  happiness,  or  at  least  abate  our  mourn- 
ing? Doth  not  St.  Paul  tell  the  Corinthians,  this  is 
what  loe  icish,  even  your  perfection?  2  Cor.  xiii.  9; 
and  should  not  saints  in  the  lower  world  take  some 


ISAAC   WATTS.  379 

satisfaction  when  a  felloAv-saiut  is  arrived  at  the  sum 
of  his  own  wishes,  even  perfect  holiness  and  joy  on 
high  ? 

The  Lord's  Supper. 

HOW  happil}^  is  the  Lord's  swpjper  contrived  by 
divine  wisdom  to  represent  the  death  and  love 
of  our  blessed  Saviour,  and  the  benefits  that  we  de- 
rive from  His  sufferings  ?  Jesus  Christ  crucified  is 
evidently  set  forth  before  our  eyes^  Gal.  iii.  1.  He  is 
represented  even  in  His  bleeding  and  dying  love, 
while  the  bread  is  broken,  and  the  wine  poured  out 
before  us.  O  how  should  we  loose  the  springs  of 
pious  passion  at  such  a  season !  How  should  our* 
love  to  our  Redeemer  kindle  and  rise  high  at  the 
sight  of  the  sufferings  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  took 
our  flesh  and  blood,  that  He  might  be  capable  of  dy- 
ing; that  His  flesh  might  be  torn,  and  cut  and  bruised, 
that  His  blood  might  be  spilled  for  our  sakes,  that 
He  mio^ht  bear  such  ao:onies  as  belono^ed  to  sinful 
creatures,  with  a  gracious  design  to  deliver  us  from 
misery  and  everlasting  death.  For  ever  blessed  be 
the  name  of  Jesus,  who  has  suffered  such  pangs  and 
sorrows  in  our  stead,  and  blessed  be  His  wisdom  and 
grace  who  has  appointed  the  continual  repetition  of 
such  an  ordinance,  and  such  a  lively  memorial  of  His 
dying  love,  to  touch  all  the  springs  of  religious  af- 
fection within  us. 


380  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

The  End  of  Time. 

IT  is  finished,  said  our  blessed  Lord  on  the  Cross: 
It  is  finished,  may  every  one  of  His  followers 
say  at  the  hour  of  death,  and  at  the  end  of  time: 
My  sins  and  follies,  my  distresses  and  my  sufierings, 
are  finished  for  ever,  and  the  mighty  angel  swears  to 
it,  that  the  time  of  these  evils  is  no  longer;  they  are 
vanished,  and  shall  never  return.  O  happy  souls, 
who  have  been  so  wise  as  to  count  the  short  and  un- 
certain number  of  your  days  on  earth,  as  to  make  an 
early  provision  for  a  removal  to  heaven !  Blessed 
are  you  above  all  the  powers  of  thought  and  lan- 
guage. Days,  and  months,  and  years,  and  all  these 
'short  and  painful  periods  of  time,  shall  be  swallow- 
ed up  in  a  long  and  blissful  eternity;  the  stream  of 
time  which  has  run  between  the  banks  of  this  mortal 
life,  and  borne  you  along  amidst  many  dangerous 
rocks  of  temptation,  fear,  and  sorrow,  shall  launch 
you  out  into  the  ocean  of  pleasures  which  have  no 
period:  those  felicities  must  be  everlasting,  for  du- 
ration has  no  limits  there;  time  with  all  its  measures 
shall  be  no  more. 

No  Pain  Among  the  Blessed. 

O  GLORIOUS  and  happy  state  I  where  millions 
of  creatures  who  have  dwelt  in  bodies  of  sin 
and  pain,  and  have  been  guilty  of  innumerable  fol- 
lies aHd  ofiences  against  their  Maker,  yet  they  are  all 
foi'iriven,  their  robes  are  washed  and  made  white  in 
the  blood  of  Jesus,  their  iniquities  are  canceled  for 
ever,  and  there  shall  not  be  one  stroke  more  from 


ISAAC    WATTS.  3g2 

the  hand  of  God  to  chasten  them,  nor  one  more  sen- 
sation of  pain  to  punish  them.  Divine  and  illustri- 
ous privilege  indeed,  and  a  glorious  world,  where 
complete  sanctification  of  all  the  powers  of  nature 
shall  for  ever  secure  us  fi-om  new  sins,  and  where  the 
springs  and  causes  of  pain  shall  for  ever  cease,  both 
within  us  and  without  us  !  Our  glorified  bodies  shall 
have  no  avenue  for  pain  to  enter;  the  gates  of  heaven 
shall  admit  no  enemy  to  afflict  or  hurt  us;  God  is  our 
everlasting  friend,  and  our  souls  shall  be  satisfied 
with  the  rivers  of  pleasure  ivhicJi  fioiv  for  ever  at  the 
right  hand  of  God,  Psalm  xvi.  11. 

No  Night  in  Heaven. 
•  r  TNDER  our  darkest  nights,  our  most  inactive 

v_J  and  heavy  hours,  our  most  uncomfortable  sea- 
sons here  on  earth,  let  us  remember  we  are  travel- 
ing to  a  world  of  light  and  joy.'  If  we  happen  to 
lie  awake,  in  midnight  darkness,  and  count  the  tedi- 
ous hours  one  after  another  in  a  mournful  succession, 
under  any  of  the  maladies  of  nature,  or  the  sorrows 
of  this  life,  let  us  comfort  ourselves  that  we  are  not 
shut  up  in  eternal  night  and  darkness  without  hope, 
but  w^e  are  still  making  our  way  towards  that  coun- 
try where  there  is  no  night,  where  there  is  neither 
sin  nor  pain,  malady  nor  sorrow. 

What  if  the  blessed  God  is  pleased  to  try  us  by 
the  withholding  of  light  from  our  eyes  for  a  season? 
What  if  we  are  called  to  seek  our  duty  in  dark  prov- 
idences, or  are  perplexed  in  deej)  and  difiicult  con- 
troversies, wherein  we  caimot  find  the  light  of  truth? 


382  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

What  if  we  '  sit  in  darkness  and  mourning,  and  see 
no  light,  and  the  beams  of  divine  consolation  are  cut 
ofi'j  let  us  still  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.,  and  stay 
ourselves  ujpoyi  our  God^  especially  as  He  manifests 
Himself  in  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  the  blessed 
medium  of  His  mercy:'  Isaiah  1.  10.  Let  us  learn 
to  say  with  the  prophet  Micah,  in  the  spirit  of  faith, 
Micah  vii.  8,  9:  When  I  sit  in  darkness^  the  Lord 
will  he  a  light  unto  me; — He  will  bring  me  forth  to 
the  light  and  I  shall  behold  His  righteousness. 

Blessed  be  God,  that  the  night  of  ignorance, 
grief,  or  affliction,  which  attends  us  in  this  world,  is 
not  everlasting  night.  Heaven  and  glory  are  at 
hand;  wait  and  watch  for  the  morning  Star,  for  Jesus 
and  the  resurrection.  Roll  on  apace  in  your  ap- 
pointed course,  ye  suns  and  moons,  and  all  ye  twink- 
ling enlighteners  of  the  sky;  carry  on  the  changing 
seasons  of  lio^ht  and  darkness  in  this  lower  world 
with  your  utmost  speed,  till  you  have  finished  all 
my  appointed  months  of  continuance  here.  The 
li«rht  of  faith  shows  me  the  dawnino^  of  that  orlorious 
day,  which  shall  finish  all  my  nights  and  darknesses 
for  ever.  Make  haste,  O  delightful  morning,  and 
delay  not  my  hopes.  Let  me  hasten,  let  me  arrive 
at  that  blessed  inheritance,  those  mansions  of  para- 
dise, where  night  is  never  known,  but  one  eternal 
day  shall  make  our  knowledge,  our  holiness,  and  om* 
joy  eternal. 


isaac  watts.  383 

Joy  at  the  Resurrection. 

A  WAKE,  O  my  soul,  and  bless  the  Lord  with 
JTA-  all  thy  powers,  and  give  thanks  with  holy 
joy  for  the  gospel  of  His  Son  Jesus.  It  is  Jesus,  by 
His  rising  from  the  dead,  has  left  a  divine  light  upon 
the  gates  of  the  grave,  and  scattered  much  of  the 
darkness  that  surrounded  it.  It  is  the  gospel  of 
Christ  which  casts  a  glory  even  upon  the  bed  of 
death,  and  spreads  a  brightness  upon  the  graves  of 
the  saints  in  the  lively  views  of  a  great  rising-day. 
O  blessed  and  surprising  prospect  of  faith  !  O  illus- 
trious scenes  of  fnture  vision  and  transport !  When 
the  Son  of  God  shall  bring  forth  to  public  view  all 
His  redeemed  ones,  who  had  been  long  hidden  in 
night  and  dust,  and  shall  present  them  all  to  God 
the  Father  in  His  own  image,-  bright,  and  holy,  and 
unblemished,  in  the  midst  of  all  the  splendors  of  the 
resurrection  !  O  blessed  and  joyful  voice,  when  He 
shall  say  Avith  divine  pleasure,  Here  am  /,  and  the 
children  which  Thou  hast  given  me:  Isaiah  viii.  18; 
Heb.  ii.  13.  We  have  both  passed  through  the 
grave,  and  I  have  made  them  all  conquerors  of  death, 
and  vested  them  with  immortality,  according  to  Thy 
divine  commission  !  Thine  they  were^  O  Father^  and 
Thou  hast  given  them  into  my  hands,  and  behold  I 
have  brought  them  all  safe  to  Thy  appointed  man- 
sions, and  I  present  them  before  Thee  xmthout  sjpot 
or  blemish,  John  xvii.  6. 

•  And  many  a  parent  of  a  pious  household  in  that 
day,  when  they  shall  see  their  sons  and  their  daugh- 
ters around  them,  all  arraved  with  the  beams  of  the 


384  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Sun  of  righteousness,  shall  echo  with  holy  joy  to  the 
voice  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  Lord,  here  am  /,  and 
the  children  ivhich  Thou  hast  given  me,  Heb.  ii.  13. 
I  was  afraid,  as  Job  once  might  be  when  his  friends 
suggested  this  fear;  I  was  afraid  that  my  children 
had  sinned  against  God,  and  He  had  cast  them  away 
for  their  transgression,  Job  viii.  4.  But  I  am  now 
convinced,  when  He  seized  them  from  my  sight,  He 
only  took  them  out  of  the  way  of  temptation  and 
danger,  and  concealed  them  for  a  season  in  His  safe 
lii ding-place:  I  mourned  in  the  daytime  for  a  lost  son 
or  a  lost  daughter,  and  in  the  night  my  couch  was 
bedewed  with  my  tears:  I  was  scared  with  midnight 
dreams  on  their  account,  and  the  visions  of  the  grave 
terrified  me,  because  my  children  were  there:  I  gave 
up  myself  to  sorrow,  -for  fear  of  the  displeasure  of 
my  God  both  against  them  and  against  me:  But  how 
unreasonable  were  these  sorrows  !  How  groundless 
were  my  fears  !  How  gloriously  am  I  disappointed 
this  blessed  morniug  !  I  see  my  dear  oifspring  called 
out  of  that  long  retreat  where  God  had  concealed 
them,  and  they  arise  to  meet  the  divine  call;  I  hear 
them  answering  with  joy  to  the  happy  summons. 
My  eyes  behold  them  risen  in  the  image  of  my  God 
and  their  God;  they  are  near  me,  they  stand  with 
me  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Judge;  now  shall  we 
rejoice  together  in  the  sentence  of  eternal  blessed- 
ness from  the  lips  of  my  Lord,  my  Redeemer,  and 
their  Redeemer. 


isaac  watts.  385 

Death  of  Pious  Youth. 

OUR  blessed  Jesus  ivalks  among  the  roses  and 
lilies  in  the  garden  of  His  church,  and  when 
He  sees  a  wintiy  storm  coming  upon  some  tender 
plants  of  righteousness,  He  hides  them  in  the  earth 
to  preserve  life  in  them,  that  they  may  bloom  with 
new  glories  when  they  shall  be  raised  from  that  bed. 
The  blessed  God  acts  like  a  tender  Father,  and  con- 
sults the  safety  and  the  honor  of  His  children,  when 
the  hand  of  His  mercy  snatches  them  away  before 
that  powerful  temptation  comes,  which  He  foresees 
would  have  defiled  and  distressed,  and  almost  destroy- 
ed them.  They  are  not  lost,  but  they  are  gone  to 
rest  a  little  sooner  than  we  are.  Peace  be  to  that 
bed  of  dust  where  they  are  hidden,  by  the  hand  of 
their  God,  from  unknown  dangers !  Blessed  be  our 
Lord  Jesus,  who  has  the  keys  of  the  grave,  and  never 
opens  it  for  His  fiivorites  but  in  the  wisest  season. 

Death  of  Christian  Relatives. 

IF  our  departed  relative  were  a  Christian  indeed, 
and  gave  us  comfortable  hope  in  his  death,  then  it 
leads  our  thoughts  naturally  to  heaven,  and  most 
powerfully  touches  the  springs  of  our  heavenly 
hopes.  It  raises  our  pious  wishes  to  the  upper 
world,  and  we  say,  as  Thomas  did  at  the  dcatli  of 
Lazarus,  Let  us  go,  that  ive  may  die  icith  him,  John 
xi.  16.  Let  us  go  to  our  God  and  our  holy  kindred, 
and  enjoy  their  better  presence  there.  Let  us  not 
sorrow  for  the  dead  as  those  that  mourn  ivithout  hope^ 
1  Thess.  iv.  13,  but  look  upward  to  things  unseen 

17 


386  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  forward  to  the  great  rising-day,  and  rejoice  in 
the  promised  and  future  glories  that  are  beyond  life 
and  time. 

Every  dear  relative  that  dies  and  leaves  us,  gives 
us  one  motive  more  to  be  willing  to  die:  Their  death 
furnishes  ns  with  one  new  allurement  toward  heaven, 
and  breaks  off  one  of  the  fetters  and  bonds  that  tied 
us  down  to  this  earth.  Alas  !  w^e  are  tied  too  fast  to 
these  earthly  tabernacles,  these  prisons  of  flesh  and 
blood.  We  are  attached  too  much  to  flesh  and  blood 
still,  though  we  find  them  such  painful  and  such  sin- 
ful companions.  We  love  to  tarry  in  this  world  too 
well,  though  we  meet  with  so  many  weaning  strokes 
to  divide  our  hearts  from  it.  O  it  is  good  to  live 
more  loose  from  earth,  that  Ave  may  be  ready  for 
the  parting  hour:  Let  us  not  be  angry  with  the  sov- 
ereifrn  hand  of  God  that  breaks  one  bond  after 
another;  though  the  strokes  be  painful,  yet  they 
loosen  our  spirits  from  this  cottage  of  clay;  they 
teach  us  to  practice  a  flight  heavenward  in  holy  med- 
itations and  devout  breathings;  and  we  learn  to  say, 
Hoiv  long^  O  Lord,  Jioiv  long  9 

The  recollection. —  Have  any  of  us  lately  felt  such 
parting  strokes  as  these  ?  Have  we  lost  any  of  our 
beloved  kindred  ?  God  calls  upon  us  now,  and  en- 
quires, '  What  have  you  learned  of  these  divine  les- 
sons V  I  would  ask  myself  this  day,  Have  I  seen  the 
emptiness  and  the  insufficiency  of  creatures,  and  re- 
called my  hope  and  confidence  from  every  thing  be- 
neath and  beside  God?  Have  I  passed  through  this  sol- 
cnui  hour  of  trial  well,  and  shown  my  supreme  love 


ISAAC    WATTS.  387 

to  Gvjd,  and  my  most  entire  submission  to  His  sover- 
eignty, by  resigning  so  dear  a  comfort  at  His  de- 
mand ?  Have  I  been  tanglit  by  the  inward  pain 
which  I  felt  at  parting,  and  by  the  smart  which  still 
remains,  how  dansferous  a  thino^  it  is  to  love  a  crea- 
ture  too  well  ?  Have  I  dnly  considered  my  past 
conduct  toward  my  relations  deceased,  and  does  it 
approve  itself  to  my  conscience  at  the  review  ?  Or 
have  I  found  matter  for  self-condemnation  and  repen- 
tance ?  Have  I  treasured  up  the  memory  of  their 
virtues  in  my  heart,  and  set  them  l)efore  me  as  the 
copy  of  my  life  ?  Have  my  thoughts  followed  the 
soul  of  my  dear  departed  friend,  and  traced  it  with 
pleasure  to  the  world  of  blessed  spirits;  and  does 
my  own  soul  seem  to  fix  its  hope  and  joy  there,  and 
to  dwell  there  above  ?  Are  my  thoughts  become 
more  spiritual  and  heavenly?  Do  I  live  more  as  a 
borderer  on  the  other  world,  since  a  piece  of  me  is 
gone  thither  ?  And  am  I  ready  for  the  summons,  if 
it  should  come  before  to-morrow  ? 

Happy  Christian,  who  has  been  taught  by  the 
spirit  of  grace  to  improve  the  death  of  the  dearest 
relative  to  so  divine  an  advantage.  The  words  of 
my  text  are  then  fulfilled  experimentally  in  you: 
Death  is  yours:  Death  itself  is  made  a  part  of  your 
treasures.  The  parting  stroke  is  painful  indeed,  but 
it  carries  a  blessing  in  it  too:  for  it  has  promoted 
your  heavenly  and  eternal  interest. 


38(S  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 


o 


The  Believer's  Possessions. 
•  73  EMEMBEE,  O  my  soul,  death  ts  thine:  There 
J_\)  is  nothing  in  that  dark  valley  shall  hurt  thee. 
Lift  up  thy  head,  arise,  and  shake  thyself  out  of  the 
dust.  Let  thy  faith  take  a  sweet  prospect  over  the 
little  hills  of  time,  and  beyond  the  vale  of  death:  Look 
far  into  the  invisible  world,  and  banish  all  thy  fears 
under  the  strong  allurement  of  the  joys  that  are  pre- 
pared for  thee;  wait  with  pleasure  for  the  hour  of 
thy  departure,  and  rejoice  and  triumph  when  the 
divine  message  shall  come.  While  thou  continuest 
here,  life  is  thine.  When  thou  goest  hence,  death  is 
thine;  things  present  and  tilings  to  come  are  thine; 
and  the  invisible  world  to  which  thou  art  hastenino^, 
has  everlasting  joys  in  reserve  for  thee:  Heaven  it- 
self is  thine:  Heaven  is  the  inheritance  of  all  the 
saints:  The  glories  laid  up  there  are  waiting  for  thy 
possession:  The  dissolution  of  thy  earthly  tabernacle 
shall  convey  thee  into  the  midst  of  them. 

'Awake,  arise,  and  meet  the  haj^py  moment,  when 
thou  shalt  l)e  undressed  of  this  sinful  llesh  and  blood: 
O  let  these  defiled  garments  ever  sit  loose  about  thee, 
that  they  may  be  cast  off  without  pain  and  regret: 
Go,  my  soul,  at  the  summons  of  thy  God  and  Father, 
and  when  thy  symptoms  of  dying  nature  shall  say, 
Ilar/v,  He  calleth  thee,  let  thy  faith  and  thy  love,  and 
thy  joy  answer.  Lord,  I  come.  Go,  my  soul,  at  the 
invitation  of  thy  Redeemer,  at  the  voice  of  thy 
Beloved:  Behold,  He  appears.  He  comes!  Go  forth 
and  meet  Him.  Drop  this  fleshy  clothing  with  holy 
delight;    arise,  put  on  thy  beautiful  garments,  and 


ISAAC    WATTS.  389 

shine,  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  rising  iqjon  thee: 
Go  shine  among  the  sjnrits  of  the  just  made  j^erfact, 
thyself  a  spirit  released  from  earth,  and  divested  of 
all  imperfection.  O  happy  farewell  to  life  and  time  ! 
O  glorious  entrance  into  immortality !' 


The  Christian's  Hidden  Life  in  Heaven. 

HOW  little  is  death  to  be  dreaded  by  a  believer, 
since  it  will  bring  the  soul  to  the  full  posses- 
sion of  its  hidden  life  in"  heaven  !  It  is  a  dark  valley 
that  divides  between  this  world  and  the  next;  but  it 
is  all  a  region  of  light  and  blessedness  beyond  it. 
We  are  now  borderers  on  the  eternal  world,  and  we 
know  but  little  of  that  invisible  country.  Approach- 
ing death  opens  the  gates  to  us,  and  begins  to  give 
our  holy  curiosity  some  secret  satisfaction;  and  yet 
how  we  shrink  backward  wdien  that  glorious  un- 
known city  is  opening  upon  us  !  and  are  ready  to  beg 
and  pray  that  the  gates  might  be  closed  again:  '  O  ! 
for  a  little  more  time,  a  little  longer  continuance  in 
this  lower  visible  world !'  This  is  the  lanffuao-e  of 
the  fearful  believer;  but  it  is  better  to  have  our 
Christian  courage  wrought  up  to  a  divine  height,  and 
to  say,  '  Ojpen,  ye  everlasting  gates,  and  he  ye  lift  up, 
0  ye  i7nmortal  doors,  that  we  may  enter  into  the 
place  where  the  King  of  glory  is.'  There  shall  we 
see  God,  the  great  unkuviwn,  and  rejoice  in  His  over- 
flowing love.  We  shall  see  Him  not  as  Ave  do  on 
earth,  darkly,  through  the  glass  of  ordinances;  but 
inferior  spirits  shall  converse  with  the  supreme  Spirit, 


390  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

as  bodies  do  with  bodies;  that  is,  face  to  face,  1  Cor. 
xiii.  12. 

There  shall  we  behold  Christ  our  Lord  in  the  dig- 
nity of  His  character  as  Mediator,  in  the  glory  of 
His  kingdom,  and  the  all-sufficiency  of  His  Godhead; 
and  we  shall  be  for  ever  with  Him.  There  shall  we 
see  millions  of  blessed  spirits,  w^ho  have  lived  the 
same  hidden  life  as  we  do,  and  passed  through  this 
vale  of  tears,  with  the  same  attending  difficulties  and 
sorrows,  and  by  the  same  divine  assistances.  They 
were  unknown,  and  covered  with  dust  as  we  are, 
wliile  they  dwelt  in  flesh,  but  they  appear  all-glori- 
ous and  well-known  in  the  world  of  spirits,  and 
exult  in  open  and  immortal  light;  we  shall  see  them, 
and  w^e  shall  triumph  wdth  them  in  that  day;  we 
shall  learn  their  language,  and  taste  their  joys;  we 
shall  be  partakers  of  the  same  glory,  which  Christ 
our  life  diffuses  all  around  Him,  on  the  blessed  in- 
habitants of  that  intellectual  world. 

There  shall  we  sec  His  face 

And  never,  never  sin; 
And  from  the  rivers  of  His  grace 

Drink  endless  pleasures  in. 

All-sufficiency  of  God. 

THE  Godhead  is  an  infinite  ocean  of  life  and 
blessedness,  and  finite  vessels  may  be  for  ever 
swelling,  and  for  ever  filling  in  that  sea  of  all-suffi- 
ciency. There  must  be  no  tiresome  satiety  in  that 
everlasting  entertainment.  God  shall  create  the  joys 
of  His  saints  ever  fresh:  He  shall  throw  open  His 


ISAAC    WATTS.  o91 

endless  stores  of  blessing,  unknown  even  to  the  first 
rank  of  ano-els:  and  feast  the  sons  and  dauo'hters  of 
men  with  pleasures  akin  to  those  which  were  pre- 
pared for  the  Son  of  God.  For  verily  He  took  not 
upon  Him  the  nature  of  angels,  but  the  likeness  of 
sinful  flesh:  and  when  He  shall  appear  the  second 
time  without  sin  to  our  salvation,  we  shall  then  be 
made   like   Him,  for   we    shall  see   Him  as  He  is. 


THOMAS  ADAM. 

1701-1784. 

The  Man  of  Prayer. 

O  Y>^ords  can  describe  tlie  blessed- 
ness of  a  soul  wbicli  lives  in  com- 
munion with  God;  asking  and  receiving, 
seeking  and  finding,  knocking  and  having 
the  door  opened.  For  what  is  happiness 
but  this?  Or  how  can  we  describe  it  better,  than 
by  saying  that  a  man  wishes  for  the  very  thing  he 
ought,  and  is  sure  to  have  it?  And  such  is  the 
man  of  prayer,  the  Christian.  He  chooses  the 
Fountain  of  all  ha23piness  for  his  portion,  and  can- 
not be  disappointed  of  his  desire.  He  is  happy  in 
the  very  act  of  prayer,  knowing  it  to  be  the  right 
frame  of  his  mind,  the  proof  of  his  renewed  state, 
and  his  capacity  for  receiving  blessing  from  God. 
And  he  is  happy  in  the  returns  of  it;  increasing  in 
knowledge,  faith  and  holiness,  and  passing  through 
the  world  with  a  hope  full  of  immortality.  O  bless- 
ed Jesus,  teach  us  all  to  pray :  for  the  desire  is 
from  Thee,  and  Thou  givest  Thyself  with  it,  and  we 
cannot  receive  Thee  till  we  do  pray. 


o 


THOMAS    ADAiM.  393 

Prayers.  I. 
LORD,  we  pray  Thee  send  down  Thy  Spirit  to 
kmdle  the  holy  fire  of  love  in  our  hearts.  Let 
the  sense  of  Thy  excellencies  and  perfections,  various 
gifts  and  blessings,  be  always  present  to  our  minds, 
and  the  continual  subject  of  our  meditations,  that  we 
may  adore  and  bless  and  imitate  Thee.  The  heavens 
declare  Thy  glory,  the  earth  is  filled  with  Thy 
bounties,  and  wherever  we  turn  our  eyes  we  see 
Thee  in  the  riches  of  Thy  goodness.  But  Thou  hast 
more  especially  manifested  Thy  love  to  mankind, 
and  magnified  Thy  name  and  Thy  glory,  by  giving 
Thy  only  begotten  Son  to  die  for  us.  Give  us,  we 
beseech  Thee,  such  a  knowledge  of  Thee,  as  the  God 
and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  such  an 
assured  faith  in  Th^^  great  mercy  to  us  in  Him  that 
we  may  love  Thee,  for  the  great  love  whercAvith 
Thou  hast  loved  ns,  and  all  mankind  for  Thy  sake; 
do  all  our  works  on  this  ground;  and  be  accepted 
of  Thee  for  the  sake,  and  through  the  alone  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

IL 

HOLY  Father,  open  our  eyes,  we  beseech  Thee, 
to  see  the  danger  and  misery  of  our  condition 
in  sin.  Let  Thy  Son  be  our  Master  to  teach  us  the 
strictness  and  purity  of  Thy  law;  let  Thy  Spirit  go 
Avith  us  into  the  depth  of  our  hearts,  to  convince  us 
of  our  transgressions  of  it;  that  we  may  fly  to  the 
mercy  of  the  gospel,  be  revived  with  a  sense  of  for- 
giveness, live  unto  Him  that  died  for  us,  and  do  all 

17'^ 


394  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

our  works  from  a  holy  principle  of  faith  and  love  to 
Thee.  Deliver  us  from  all  guile  and  hypocrisy,  from 
all  blindness  and  hardness  of  heart;  and  as  we  know 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  way,  the  truth,  and 
the  life,  grant  that  we  may  humbly  and  thankfully 
receive  Him  in  the  grace  and  power  of  all  His  offices. 
Oh!  grant,  for  Thy  mercy's  sake,  that  as  He  is  the 
only  rest  of  our  guilty  consciences,  the  reliever  of 
all  our  burdens,  and  has  opened  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  to  all  believers,  we  may  rejoice  in  His  salva- 
tion, be  faithful  to  His  truth,  commit  our  souls  to 
Him  to  be  guided  in  the  way  which  leadeth  to  ever- 
lasting life,  and  be  received  into  Thy  kingdom  of 
glory,  through  Him,  our  blessed  Saviour  and  Re- 
deemer.    Amen. 

HI. 

OLORD,  who  hast  sent  Thy  blessed  Son  a  light 
into  the  world,  and  giveSt  Thy  Spirit  to  guide 
us  into  all  truth;  grant  us  grace  thankfully  to  re- 
ceive and  obediently  to  follow,  the  doctrine  He  has 
delivered  to  us  in  Thy  name.  Let  the  study  of  Thy 
Word  be  our  constant  employment  and  the  delight 
of  our  souls,  that  we  may  know  Thee  the  only  true 
God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  Thou  hast  sent.  From 
all  blindness  and  hardness  of  heart,  from  all  guile 
and  insincerity,  good  Lord,  deliver  us.  Help  us  to 
discover  and  remove  all  the  impediments  to  Thy 
coming  and  gracious  presence  in  our  souls.  Open 
our  eyes,  turn  us  from  darkness  to  light,  confirm  us 
in    the  faith  of  Thy  mercy,  and  make  us  fruitful  in 


THOMAS    ADAM.  395 

all  good  works.  Grant  that,  by  Thy  holy  inspira- 
tion, we  may  think  those  tilings  that  be  good,  and, 
by  Thy  merciful  guiding,  may  perform  the  same, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

IV. 

OLORD  our  God,  pour  upon  us  the  spirit  of 
grace  and  supplications,  to  receive  the  instruc- 
tions and  follow  the  doctrine  of  the  great  Teacher, 
Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  with  all  humility 
and  thankfulness.  As  Thou  hast  tau2:ht  us  what  is 
acceptable  unto  Thee,  and  delivered  to  us  the  rule 
of  holy  living;  we  beseech  Thee,  turn  the  desire  of 
our  hearts  to  it,  and  all  our  hearts  to  Thee,  in  prayer 
for  a  blessing  upon  wdiat  we  learn  from  Thy  holy 
Word.  Convince  us  of  our  blindness,  corruption  and 
weakness,  that  we  may  come  to  Christ  for  help,  re- 
joice in  His  salvation,  and  in  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  be  enabled  to  do  whatever  Thou  requirest  of 
us.  Make  us  Thy  own  people,  make  our  souls  and 
bodies  Thy  living  temples;  that,  consecrating  our- 
selves to  Thee  in  faith  and  purity,  and  reverencing 
Thee  in  our  hearts,  we  may  gladly  embrace  all  occa- 
sions of  presenting  ourselves  before  Thee  in  Thy 
house,  as  the  house  of  prayer,  worship  Thee  in  spirit 
and  in  truth  whilst  we  live  here  upon  earth;  and 
sing  praises  to  Thee  for  ever  in  heaven,  with  all 
those  whom  Thou  hast  redeemed  to  Thyself  by  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  l^lessed  Lord  and  Saviour. 
Amen. 


PHILIP  DODDRIDGE,  D.D. 
1702-1751. 

Praising  the  Loed. 

[RAISE  the  Lord,  all  ye  His  saints; 
be  tliankful  unto  Him,  and  bless  His 
name!  Praise  Him,  wlio  graciously  pur- 
posed 3^our  salvation,  and  predestinated 
you  to  the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus 
Christ  unto  Himself!  Praise  Him,  who  rendered 
this  purpose  effectual,  and  wrought  it  out  by  a 
high  hand  and  outstretched  arm!  Praise  Him, 
who  gave  His  own  Son  to  be  a  sacrifice  for  you, 
and  to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness!  Praise 
Him,  who  sent  His  Spirit,  as  the  great  agent  in 
His  Son's  kingdom,  to  bring  the  hearts  of  sinners 
to  a  subjection  to  the  gospel,  and  gently  to  capti- 
vate them  to  the  obedience  of  faith !  Praise  Him, 
who  has  revealed  this  glorious  gospel  to  you,  at  so 
great  a  distance  of  time  and  place!  Praise  Him, 
who  has  impressed  your  hearts  with  a  disposition  to 
regard  it !  Praise  Him,  who  has  subdued  your  pre- 
judices against  it!  Praise  Him,  who,  having  im- 
planted faith  in  your  souls,  continues  even  to  this 
day  to  animate  and  support  it !  Let  all  ranks  and 
ages  join  in  this  cheerful  song!    Praise  ye  the  Lord, 


rillLir   DODDRIDGE.  397 

ye  that  are  rich  in  temporal  possessions,  if  you  have 
been  enabled  to  renounce  the  Yfoiicl  as  your  portion, 
and  to  triumph  over  it  by  this  divine  principle! 
Praise  Him,  you  that  are  poor  in  this  world,  if  you 
are  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  kingdom  which 
God  has  promised  to  them  that  love  Him!  Praise 
Him,  you  that  are  cheerful  and  vigorous,  and  capable 
of  rendering  Him  that  active  service  which  may  speak 
the  gratitude  of  your  hearts  towards  Him!  Praise 
Him,  you  that  are  weak  and  languishing,  since  His 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  your  weakness,  and  your 
infirmities  illustrate  tlie  force  of  that  faith  which  He 
has  wrought  in  you!  Praise  Him,  ye  youths  who, 
with  this  guide  and  companion  of  your  way,  are  set- 
ting forth  in  the  journey  of  life  with  courage,  and 
lifting  up  your  feet  in  His  paths!  Praise  Him,  ye 
aged  saints,  who  stand  on  the  borders  of  eternity, 
and  live  in  a  daily  expectation,  that  you  shall  receive 
the  end  of  your  faith  in  the  salvation  of  your  souls! 
Begin  that  work  now,  in  which  you  are  all  so  soon 
to  join!  Break  forth  into  one  joyful  anthem,  and 
sing:  '  Xot  unto  us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  to  Thy 
name  be  all  the  praise  of  that  salvation,  which  Thou 
hast  already  begun  in  our  souls,  and  which  Thy  faith- 
fulness has  engaged  to  complete.' 

The  Water  of  Life. 

a^HE  waters  which  followed  Israel  througli  the 
-  wilderness,  failed  when  they  came  into  an  in- 
habited land.  But  this  river  of  life  will  never  for- 
sake the   believer;    it  will  flow  with   him  sweetly 


398  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

through  the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  till 
it  spreads  itself  into  wider  and  deeper  streams,  in 
the  lovely  regions  of  the  heavenly  Canaan.  Thus 
we  are  told,  that  in  the  New  Jerusalem  the  river  of 
the  water  of  life  proceedeth  from  the  throne  of  God 
and  of  the  Laml:).  And  thus  our  Lord  assures  the 
woman  of  Samaria,  Wliosoever  drinketh  of  the  water 
that  I  shall  give  him,  shall  never  thirst;  but  it  shall 
be  in  him  as  a  well  of  water  springing  up  into  ever- 
lastino^  life.  What  then  remains,  but  that  we  each 
of  us  cry  out,  as  she  did.  Lord,  give  us  of  this  living 
water,  that  we  may  thirst  no  more,  nor  come,  as  now, 
to  these  ordinances  to  draw! 

Clear  spring  of  life!  flow  on,  and  roll 
With  growing  swell  from  pole  to  pole, 
'Till  flowers  and  fruits  of  paradise 
Round  all  tliy  winding  current  rise! 

Still  near  thy  stream  may  I  be  found, 
Long  as  I  tread  this  earthly  ground! 
Cheer  with  thy  wave  death's  gloomy  shade; 
Then  through  the  fields  of  Canaan  spread! 

A  Devout  Meditation. 

OMY  God,  what  shall  I  say?  what,  but  that  1 
love  Thee  above  all  in  the  power  of  language 
to  express.  While  I  feel  Thy  sacred  Spirit  breath- 
ing upon  my  heart,  and  exciting  these  fervors  of 
love  to  Thee,  I  cannot  doubt  of  its  influence,  any 
more  than  I  can  doubt  of  the  truth  of  this  animal  life 
while  I  exert  the  acts  of  it.  Surely,  if  ever  I  knew 
the  appetite  of  hunger,  my  soul  hungers  after  right- 
eousness, and  lono's  for  a  2:reater  couformitv  to  Thy 


PHILIP    DODDRIDGE.  399 

blessed  nature  and  Avill.  If  ever  my  palate  felt 
thirst,  my  soul  thirsts  for  God,  even  the  living 
God!  and  for  a  more  abundant  communication  of 
His  favor.  If  ever  my  weary  body  knew  what  it 
was  to  wish  for  the  refreshment  of  my  bed,  and 
longed  for  rest,  even  so  my  soul,  with  sweet  acqui- 
escence, rests  upon  Thy  gracious  bosom,  O  my 
Heavenly  Father,  and  returns  to  its  repose  in  the 
embraces  of  its  God,  who  has  dealt  so  bountifully 
with  it.  And  if  ever  I  saw  the  face  of  a  beloved 
friend  or  child  with  complacency  and  joy,  so  I  re- 
joice in  beholding  Thy  mercy,  O  Lord,  and  in  call- 
ing Thee  my  Father  in  Christ.  Such  Thou  art,  and 
such  Thou  wilt  be  for  time,  and  for  eternity.  What 
have  I  more  to  do  but  to  commit  myself  to  Thee  for 
both,  and  leave  Thee  to  choose  my  inheritance,  and 
order  my  affairs  for  me,  while  all  my  business  is  to 
serve  Thee,  and  all  my  delight  to  praise  Thee.  My 
soul  follows  hard  after  my  God,  because  His  right 
hand  supports  me.  Let  it  still  bear  me  up,  and  I 
shall  still  press  forward. 


H 


Our  Great  Intercessor. 

OW   admirable    and    how   amiable    does    the 
blessed  Jesus  appear,  when  considered  as  the 
great  Intercessor  of  His  people! 

How  admirable  is  He  in  this  view!  What  an  honor 
is  done  Him  in  the  heavenly  world!  How  dear  to 
the  Father  does  He  appear  to  be,  when  God  will  not 
accept  the  services  of  the  greatest  and  best  of  man- 
kind, unless  presented  by  Him;  and  for  His  sake  will 


400  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS 

graciously  regard  the  meanest  and  vilest  sinner! 
And  how  great  does  this  Intercessor  appear  m  Him- 
self!  'Blessed  Jesus,'  may  the  Christian  say,  'Avho 
is  like  unto  Thee,  who  canst  at  once  sustain  so  many 
different  relations,  and  canst  fill  them  all  with  their 
proper  offices,  of  duty  to  Thy  Father,  and  of  love  to 
Thy  people!  who  canst  thus  bear,  without  encumber- 
ing Thyself,  without  interfering  with  each  other,  the 
priestly  censer  and  the  royal  sceptre!  How  wise  are 
Thy  counsels!  How  extensive  Thy  views!  How 
capacious  Thy  thoughts!  and  yet,  at  the  same  time, 
how  compassionate  Thy  gracious  heart!  That  amidst 
all  the  exaltations  of  heaven,  all  the  splendors  of 
Thy  Father's  right  hand,  Thou  shouldst  still  thus 
graciously  remember  Thine  humble  followers!  That 
Tliine  eye  should  be  always  watchful  over  them. 
Thine  ear  be  alwa^^s  open  to  their  prayers.  Thy 
mouth  be  ever  ready  to  plead  for  them,  and  Thine 
arm  to  save  them!  As  if  it  were  not  love  enough  to 
descend  and  die,  unless  Thou  didst  forever  live  and 
reign  for  them,  and  even  glory  in  being  made  Head 
over  all  for  Thy  church.' 

'But  especially,'  may  the  Christian  say,  '  when  I 
think  of  Thee,  blessed  Jesus,  not  only  as  the  Inter- 
cessor of  TJiy  people  in  general,  but  as  my  Inter- 
cessor; when  I  think  that  Thou  hast  espoused  my 
character  and  my  cause,  vile  and  obnoxious  as  it  is; 
and  that  Thou  art  recommending  my  poor  broken 
services,  which  I  daily  blush  to  present  before  Thee; 
and  art  using  Thine  interest  and  Thine  authority  in 
the  world  above,  to  complete  my  salvation,  which 


rillLIP   DODDKIEGE.  401 

Thou  hast  begun;  what  shall  Thy  poor  servant  say 
unto  Thee?  All  these  astonishing  and  kind  regards 
to  me,  who  am  unworthy  to  wash  the  feet  of  the  least 
of  Thy  followers!  Shall  not  the  wonders  of  such 
condescending  grace  engage  my  gratitude  to  all 
eternity?  M}^  praises  now  are  so  exceeding  feeble, 
and  so  low,  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  offer  them.  O 
when  shall  those  nobler  praises  begin,  which  I  hope 
ere  long  to  offer  in  that  world  of  perfection  to  which 
Thy  gracious  intercession  is  bringing  me?' 

A  Prayer  for  Gospel  Blessings. 

BLESSED  Jesus,  Thou  that  knowest  all  things, 
knowest  that  I  tliirst  after  the  blessings  of  Thy 
gospel.  Thou  seest  that  I  most  ardently  long  for 
the  pardon  of  sin,  the  favor  of  God,  the  influences  of 
Thy  Spirit,  and  the  glories  of  Thine  heavenly  king- 
dom. I  am  fully  persuaded,  that  with  regard  to  all 
these  Thou  art  able  to  do  for  me  abundantly  above 
all  I  can  ask  or  think.  And  wilt  Thou  not  relieve 
me?  Wilt  Thou  not  give  me  to  drink?  Wherefore, 
then,  are  Thine  invitations  published  in  the  gospel? 
Why  does  Thy  Spirit  even  now  work  upon  my  heart, 
and  raise  there  this  fervency  of  desire?  Wherefore 
didst  Thou  weep?  Wherefore  didst  Thou  bleed? 
Wherefore  didst  Thou  die,  if  Thou  hadst  no  compas- 
sion for  perishing  sinners?  But  Thou  hast  compas- 
sion; Thou  hast  already  extended  it  to  thousands  on 
earth  and  millions  in  heaven.  Lord,  I  believe;  help 
Thou  my  unbelief !    I  throw  myself  at  Thy  feet;  nor 


402  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

can  1  fear  I  shall  perish  there,  unless  infinite  power 
be  weakened,  and  infinite  love  be  exhausted. 

My  Father's  House. 

IF  it  be  so  pleasant  to  me  now  and  then,  to  cast  a 
longing  look  towards  my  Father's  house,  and  to 
read,  as  it  were,  this  letter  which  His  goodness  sends 
to  me,  and  to  receive  in  the  wilderness  the  tokens  of 
His  care,  what  will  it  be  to  come  and  dwell  with 
Him,  and  with  all  my  brethren  in  the  Lord?  O  earth! 
all  thy  charms  are  not  worth  a  moment's  stay.  It 
would  be  better,  much  better  for  me  to  be  dissolved. 
How  would  my  heart  leap  to  see  His  chariot  appear- 
ing! How  welcome  would  the  messenger  be  by 
which  He  should  call  me  to  His  house,  and  to  His 
bosom! 

Heaven  Our  Home. 

SEEING  heaven  is  our  country,  let  us  take  care  to 
live  like  those  who  belong  to  such  a  country. 
This  is  what  the  apostle  recommends  to  us  by  his 
own  example.  Our  conversation,  saith  he,  is  in 
heaven;  or  we  behave  ourselves  like  citizens  of 
heaven.  Let  us  remember,  that  whilst  we  are  in 
this  world,  we  sojourn  in  a  strange  land,  and  are  at 
a  distance  from  our  home;  and,  therefore,  do  not  let 
us  be  inordhiately  afiected  with  anything  in  it.  Let 
us  not  be  too  much  transported  with  the  entertain- 
ments, nor  too  much  dejected  with  the  disappoint- 
ments which  we  meet  with  in  tliis  land  of  our 
pilgrimage;  l)ut,  let  us  be  carrying  on  a  constant, 


rillLIP   DODDrwILGE.  403 

regular  design  of  a  liappy  abode  in  this  glorious 
country;  and  let  all  the  actions  of  our  life  have  a 
tendency  towards  it;  and  to  animate  us  to  prosecute 
our  journey  with  the  greatest  vigor  and  cheerfulness, 
let  us  be  endeavoring  to  form  an  acquaintance  Avith 
it.  In  the  Scripture,  God  has  given  us  a  map  of  this 
heavenly  Canaan.  Let  us  take  our  notions  of  it  from 
thence,  and  make  this  description  of  it  very  familiar 
to  us.  Let  us  keep  up  a  constant  correspondence 
with  it,  by  frequent-  and  earnest  addresses  to  the 
throne  of  the  King  of  heaven,  and  by  meditating 
and  discoursing  upon  the  happiness  of  it.  Let  us  be 
zealous  for  the  interests  of  this  heavenly  country, 
and  do  our  utmost  to  increase  the  number  of  the  in- 
habitants of  it.  Let  us  endeavor  to  reflect  an  honor 
upon  it,  by  imitating  the  manners  of  those  who  live 
there,  and  showing  the  same  zeal  for  the  honor  of 
God,  and  the  same  afiectionate  regard  to  the  good 
of  our  fellow  creatures,  that  they  do.  Especially, 
let  us  maintain  a  peculiar  aflection  for  our  fellow- 
citizens,  and  endeavor  to  help  them  forAvard  on  their 
journey  thither.  And,  in  the  last  place,  let  us  be 
ready  to  leave  this  world,  whenever  it  shall  please 
God  to  give  us  a  dismission  from  it;  that  so  w^e  may 
go  into  this  country  where  we  shall  be  no  more 
strangers  and  foreigners,  but  felloio-citizens  ivith  the 
glorified  saints^  and  of  the  highest  household  of  God. 


-iOi  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Death  to  the  Believee. 

AET  thou,  oh  believer!  unwilling  to  think  of 
death?  Methinks  the  remembrance  of  it  should 
be  thy  daily  refuge,  and  thy  daily  joy.  For  terrible 
as  it  is  to  him  who  goes  on  still  in  his  trespasses,  to 
thee  it  must  have  an  angel's  face.  Dost  thou  not, 
know  that  it  is  a  friendly  messenger  sent  to  thee 
from  heaven  to  tell  thee  that  an  habitation  there  is 
ready  to  receive  thee?  that  the  da^^s  of  thy  warfare 
are  fully  accomplished,  so  that' the  crown  of  victory 
is  immediately  to  be  set  on  thine  heJid;  and  the  tri- 
umphant palm  to  be  borne?  Dost  thou  not  know, 
oh  Christian!  that  when  conquered,  it  was  also  re- 
conciled by  a  Redeemer,  and  added  to  the  treasures 
and  possessions  of  His  people.  It  is  now  become  a 
gentle  slumber,  in  which  thou  shalt  lose  thy  fatigues 
and  thy  cares,  thy  sorrows  and  thy  fears;  and  from 
which  thou  shalt  awake  to  transporting  joy  and  in- 
corruptible glory.  How  canst  thou  forget  so  kind 
a  friend,  from  whom  thou  hast  such  grand  and  such 
certain  expectations?  How  canst  thou  forget  that 
important  day  which  shall  be  the  period  of  calamity 
and  of  sin,  and  the  commencement  of  complete  holi- 
ness, of  eternal  felicity? 

A  Prayer  on  Co^kOiiTTiNG  the  Soul  to  Jesus. 

BLESSED  Jesus!  I  have  heard  of  Thy  power  and 
Thy  love;  and  I  believe  what  I  have  heard  of 
them.  Conscious  that  I  have  in  my  breast  an  im- 
mortal spirit,  and  trembling  in  a  survey  of  its  infinite 
importance,  I  humbl}^  beg  leave  to  consign  it  to  Thy 


rillLTP   DODDrwTDGE.  405 

faithful  care.  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  s])irit!  I 
would  now  call  upon  Thee  with  all  the  earnestness 
of  a  dying  creature.  From  this  hour,  from  this  mo- 
ment, receive  it!  Oh!  take  it  under  Thy  care;  wash 
it  in  Thy  blood;  adorn  it  with  Thy  righteousness; 
form  it,  O  Lord!  by  Thy  Spirit,  to  every  branch  of 
the  Christian  character;  to  every  lineament  of  Thy 
blessed  image:  to  a  full  conformity  to  that  employ- 
ment and  happiness  for  which  the  spirits  of  Thy 
people  are  intended.  And  oh!  watch  over  it,  while 
I  travel  through  this  dangerous  wilderness;  andAvhen 
it  breaks  loose  from  the  flesh,  fold  it  in  Thine  em- 
brace. Eemember,  O  Lord!  if  I  should  not  be  able 
to  repeat  it,  remember  the  huml)le  petition  wdiich  I 
have  now  uttered.  Remember  Thy  word  unto  Thy 
servant,  on  which  Thou  hast  caused  me  to  liojge;  and 
be  surety  unto  me  for  good  against  all  the  terrors  of 
death  and  hell;  against  all  the  frailties  of  this  deo-en- 
crate  nature,  in  the  meantime  yet  more  to  be  feared. 

Safe  in  Jesus. 

BLESSED  Jesus,  I  rejoice  in  Thee  as  my  hope, 
and  the  louder  the  storm  rages  around  me,  the 
more  violently  the  enemies  of  my  soul  are  invadino- 
me,  the  closer  will  I  adhere  to  Thee,  and  the  more 
will  I  rejoice  in  Thy  care. 

Advice  to  the  Afflicted. 

OTHOU  afflicted,  thou  who  art  tossed  with  the 
tempest,  and  not  comforted!  look  unto  Jesus. 
Let  thy  conflicts   and  dangers  drive   thee  to  Him; 


40G  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

thougli  Satan  would  thereby  attempt  to  drive  thee 
from  Him.  Accustom  not  thyself  to  think  of  Christ 
as  dreadful  and  severe.  Terrify  not  thyself  with  the 
thought  of  the  iron  rod  of  vengeance,  whilst  thou 
feelest  thyself  disposed  to  submit  to  the  golden 
sceptre  of  His  grace,  to  the  pastoral  rod  by  which 
He  guides  His  sheep.  And  when  thou  findest  thy 
doubts  arising,  flee  to  the  representations  and  assur- 
ances of  His  Word,  and  pra}^,  that  the  influences  of 
His  Spirit  may  strengthen  thy  faith  in  them. 


Mutual  Joy  of  Christ  and  Believers  in  Heaven. 

THERE  they  shall  be  no  longer  exposed  to  ne- 
cessities and  alarms;  but  all  the  purposes  of 
His  love  shall  be  completed  in  their  everlasting 
security  and  jo}^  And  surely  the  gracious  Redeemer 
must  be  inconceivably  delighted,  when  He  there  sees 
of  the  travail  of  His  soul.  When  He  has  with  a  gen- 
tle and  gracious  hand  conducted  His  sheep  through 
the  dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  with  what 
joy  will  He  open  to  them  those  better  pastures!  with 
what  conofratulations  will  He  receive  them  to  a  state 
of  inseparable  nearness  to  Him,  and  administer  unto 
them  an  abundant  entrance  into  the  everlasting  king- 
dom of  their  Lord  and  Saviour !  Therefore  it  is 
beautifully  represented  in  the  book  of  the  Revelation, 
as  the  business  and  joy  of  Christ,  even  on  the  throne 
of  His  glory,  to  lead  on  His  saints  to  the  various 
scenes  of  divine  pleasure  and  enjoyment,  which  arc 
provided  for  them  tliere.    The  Lamb  which  is  in  the 


PHILIP   DODlJPJDGE.  407 

midst  of  the  "throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead 
them  mito  fountains  of  living  waters. 

And,  O  gracious  Redeemer,  what  will  the  joy  of 
Thy  flock  then  be,  when  thus  fed  and  conducted  by 
Thee!  If  it  be  so  delightful  at  this  humble  distance, 
to  believe  ourselves  the  objects  of  Thy  care  and 
favor,  and  to  taste  of  these  little  streams  which  Thou 
art  causing  to  flow  in  upon  us  here  in  the  wilderness, 
what  will  that  river  of  life  be?  If  it  be  now  the  joy 
of  our  hearts,  awhile  to  forget  our  cares  and  our 
fears,  when  we  are  perhaps  at  Thy  table,  and  to  lean 
our  Avear}^  heads  for  a  few  moments  on  Thy  dear 
breast;  what  will  it  be,  forever  to  dwell  in  Thine 
embrace,  and  to  say  once  for  all,  Eeturii  unto  thy 
rest,  O  my  soul,  for  the  Lord  hath  dealt  bountifully 
with  thee!  Bountifully  indeed!  when  they  who  were 
brought  out  with  weeping,  and  led  on  with  suppli- 
cation, shall,  as  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  come  to 
Zion  with  songs,  and  everlasting  joy  upon  tlieir 
heads,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away. 

In  the  meantime,  we  rejoice  in  hope  of  this  blessed 
scene,  and  would  raise  such  feeble  praises,  as  earth 
Avill  admit,  to  this  great  Shepherd,  whose  arm  is  so 
strong  to  guard  us;  whose  bosom  is  so  soft  to  cher- 
ish us;  and  whose  heart  is  so  compassionate,  notwith- 
standing all  our  unworthiness,  as  to  exert  that  arm 
for  our  protection,  and  to  open  that  bosom  for  our 
repose. 


4:08  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

A  Model  of  Devotion  for  the  Evening. 

OMY  God,  Thou  art  ever  merciful  and  gracious. 
Thou  causest  the  outgoing  of  the  morning,  and 
the  return  of  the  evening  to  rejoice  with  me.  I  now 
oifer  Thee  my  repeated  tribute  of  praise.  May  my 
prayer  come  before  Thee  as  incense,  and  the  lifting 
up  of  my  hands  as  an  evening  sacrifice. 

I  heartily  thank  Thee,  that  my  forfeited  life  hath 
been  lengthened  out  another  day;  and  that  every 
period  and  every  moment  of  it,  has  been  crowned 
with  the  instances  of  Thy  care  and  Thy  bounty.  I 
thank  Thee  for  my  food  and  raiment.  I  thank  Thee 
for  my  health,  for  the  enjoyment  of  my  friends,  for 
the  success  of  my  studies;  and,  above  all,  for  oppor- 
tunities of  conversing  with  Thee  and  of  offering  Thee 
my  humble  services,  though  I  acknowledge  them 
infinitely  beneath  Thy  regard. 

I  earnestly  entreat  Thy  gracious  forgiveness  with 
regard  to  all  the  sins  which  I  have  this  day  been 
chargeable  with.  Innumerable  evils  compass  me 
about.  And  in  the  most  innocent  and  most  faithful 
days  of  my  life,  I  see  abundant  need,  to  forfeit  Thy 
favor  and  to  awaken  Thy  displeasure.  May  the  blood 
of  Christ  Jesus  be  sprinkled  upon  my  soul,  to  cleanse 
me  from  this  new  guilt  which  I  have  contracted,  as 
well  as  from  all  I  have  formerly  contracted.  For 
His  sake  continue  Thy  gracious  protection  this  night. 
Deliver  me  from  all  dangers  and  temptations.  Give 
me  speedy,  sound  and  refreshing  sleep;  and  awake 
me  in  due  time,  fitted  and  determined  for  the  duties 
of  the  dny.     Aiid  never  leave  me  nor  forsnko  me  till 


PHILIP   DODDRIDGE.  409 

Thoii  hast  brought  me  to  that  happy  world,  Avhere 
these  revolutions  of  nature  shall  be  known  no  more* 
but  where  there  shall  be  one  everlasting  day  of 
glory  and  of  joy,  through  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

Salvation  Near. 

YOU  have  salvation,  complete  salvation,  in  view; 
and  it  approaches;  it  is  nearer  than  when  you 
believed;  it  comes  daily  nearer  and  nearer.  We  may 
look  upon  every  true  Christian  and  say  to  him,  and 
especially  to  one  advanced  in  the  journey  of  life, 
Thoit  art  not  far  from  the  kingdom  of  God.  A  few 
days,  or  at  most  a  few  years  more,  will  bring  Thee 
to  its  glories  and  joys.  Thou  shalt  be  there,  even  in 
the  kingdom,  beholding  the  King  in  His  glory,  eat- 
ing bread  and  drinking  wine  there,  living  and  reign- 
ing with  Him.  Bear  it  daily  in  Thy  mind,  and  en- 
deavor to  form  thy  soul  more  and  more  to  that  song 
in  which,  I  hope,  through  Divine  grace,  so  many  of 
us  shall  join:  Salvation  be  to  Him  that  sitteth  iipon 
the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb,  who  has  redeemed  iis  to 
God  by  His  blood,  and  made  us  kings  and  ^7^iests; 
that  we  might  reign  and  worship  for  ever.  To  Him 
be  glory,  world  without  ende     Amen. 

Awake,  ye  saints,  and  raise  your  eyes 

And  raise  your  voiees  high ; 
Awake,  and  praise  that  sovereign  love, 

That  shows  salvation  nigh. 

On  all  the  wings  of  time  it  flies. 

Each  moment  brings  it  near; 
Then  welcome  each  declining  day! 

"Welcome  each  closing  year! 
18 


410  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Not  many  years  their  rounds  shall  run, 

Nor  many  mornings  rise, 
Ere  all  its  glories  stand  revealed 

To  our  admiring  eyes. 

Ye  wheels  of  nature,  speed  your  course; 

Ye  mortal  powers,  decay; 
Fast  as  ye  bring  the  night  of  death, 

Ye  bring  eternal  day. 


\ 


JONATHAN  EDWARDS,  A.M. 
1703  1758. 

On  Eeligious  Affections. 

,0W  insensible  and  unmoved  are  most 
men  about  the  great  things  of  another 
world !  how  dull  are  their  affections !  how 
heavy  and  hard  their  hearts  in  these 
matters!  here  their  love  is  cold,  their  de- 
sires languid,  their  zeal  low,  and  their  gratitude 
small.  How  they  can  sit  and  hear  of  the  infinite 
height  and  depth,  and  length  and  breadth  of  the 
love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus ;  of  His  giving  His  in- 
finitely dear  Son  to  be  offered  up  a  sacrifice  for 
the  sins  of  men,  and  of  the  unparalleled  love  of 
the  innocent,  holy  Lamb  of  God  manifested  in  His 
dying  agonies.  His  bloody  sweat.  His  loud  and  bit- 
ter cries  and  bleeding  heart;  and  all  this  for  ene- 
mies, to  redeem  them  from  deserved,  eternal  burn- 
ings, and  to  bring  to  unspeakable  and  everlasting 
joy  and  glory;  and  yet  be  cold,  heavy,  insensible 
and  regardless!  Where  are  the  exercises  of  our 
affections  proper,  if  not  here?  what  is  it  that  more 
requires  them?  and  what  can  be  a  fit  occasion  of 
their  lively  and  vigorous  exercise,  if  not  such  as  this  ? 
Can  any  thing  be  set  in  our  view  greater  and  more 


412  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

important?  any  thing  more  wonderful  and  surprising? 
or  that  more  nearly  concerns  our  interest!  Can  we 
suppose  that  the  wise  Creator  implanted  such  princi- 
ples in  oin*  nature  as  the  affections,  to  lie  still  on  such 
an  occasion  as  this?  Can  any  Christian,  who  believes 
the  truth  of  these  things,  entertain  such  thoughts? 

The  Saint's  Love  to  God. 

THE  love  of  God  in  the  most  eminent  saints  in 
this  world,  is  truly  very  little  in  comparison 
of  what  it  ought  to  be.  Because  the  highest  love 
that  ever  any  attain  to  in  this  life  is  poor,  cold,  ex- 
ceeding low,  and  not  worthy  to  be  named  in  com- 
parison of  what  our  obligations  appear  to  be,  from 
the  joint  consideration  of  these  two  things:  viz.  1. 
The  reason  God  has  given  us  to  love  Him,  in  the 
manifestations  He  has  made  of  His  infinite  glory,  in 
His  Word  and  works;  and  particularly  in  the  gospel 
of  His  Son,  and  what  He  has  done  for  sinful  man  by 
Him.  And,  2.  The  capacity  there  is  in  the  soul  of 
man,  by  those  intellectual  faculties  which  God  has 
given  it,  of  seeing  and  understanding  these  reasons, 
which  God  has  given  us  to  love  Him.  How  small 
indeed  is  the  love  of  the  most  eminent  saint  on  earth, 
in  comparison  of  what  these  things  jointly  considered 
do  require!  And  of  this,  grace  tends  to  convince 
men;  and  especially  eminent  grace:  for  grace  is  of 
the  nature  of  light  and  brings  truth  to  view.  And 
therefore  he  that  has  much  grace,  apprehends  much 
more  than  others  that  great  height  to  which  his  love 
ought  to  ascend;  and  he  sees  better  than  others  how 


JONATHAN    EDWAKDS.  413 

little  a  way  he  has  risen  towards  that  height.  And 
therefore,  estimating  his  love  by  the  whole  height  of 
his  duty,  hence  it  appears  astonishingly  little  and 
low  in  his  eyes. 

Christ's  Invitations. 

HOW  much  Christ  appears  as  the  Lamb  of  God 
in  His  invitations  to  you  to  come  to  Him  and 
trust  in  Him!  With  what  sweet  grace  and  kindness 
does  He,  from  time  to  time,  call  and  invite  you;  as 
Prov.  viii.  4:  'Unto  you,  O  men,  I  call,  and  my 
voice  is  to  the  sons  of  men.'  And  Isaiah  Iv.  1,  2,  3: 
'  Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters, 
and  he  that  hath  no  money,  come  ye,  buy  and  eat; 
yea,  come,  buy  wine  and  milk  without  money,  and 
without  price.'  Hoav  gracious  is  He  here  in  inviting 
every  one  that  thirsts,  and  in  so  repeating  His  invi- 
tation over  and  over,  '  Come  ye  to  the  waters;  come, 
buy  and  eat;  yea,  come!'  Mark  the  excellency  of 
that  entertainment  which  He  invites  you  to  accept 
of,  '  Come,  buy  wine  and  milk!'  your  poverty,  having 
nothing  to  pay  for  it,  shall  be  no  objection, — '  Come, 
he  that  hath  no  money,  come  without  money,  and 
without  price!'  What  gracious  arguments  and  ex- 
postulations He  uses  with  you!  '  Wherefore  do  ye 
spend  money  for  that  which  is  not  bread?  and 
your  labor  for  that  which  satisfieth  not?  Hearken 
diligently  unto  me,  and  eat  ye  that  which  is  good, 
and  let  your  soul  delight  itself  in  fatness.'  As  much 
as  to  say,  It  is  altogether  needless  for  you  to  con- 
tinue la]:)oring  and  toiling  for  that  Avhich  can  never 


414  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

serve  your  turn,  seeking  rest  in  the  world  and  in 
3^our  own  righteousness:  I  have  made  abundant  pro- 
vision for  you  of  that  which  is  really  good,  and  will 
fully  satisfy  your  desires  and  answer  your  end,  and 
stand  ready  to  accept  of  you:  you  need  not  be  afraid; 
if  you  will  come  to  me,  I  will  engage  to  see  all  your 
wants  supplied  and  you  made  a  happy  creature.  As 
He  promises  in  the  third  verse,  '  Incline  your  ear, 
and  come  unto  me:  Hear,  and  your  soul  shall  live, 
and  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant  with  you. 
even  the  sure  mercies  of  David.'  And  so,  Prov.  ix. 
at  the  beginning.  How  gracious  and  sweet  is  the 
invitation  there:  'Whoso  is  simple,  let  him  turn  in 
hither;'  let  you  be  never  so  poor,  ignorant  and  blind 
a  creature,  you  shall  be  welcome.  And  in  the  fol- 
lowing words,  Christ  sets  forth  the  provision  that 
He  has  made  for  you,  '  Come,  eat  of  my  bread  and 
drink  of  the  wine  which  I  have  mingled.'  You  are 
in  a  poor  famishing  state,  and  have  nothing  where- 
with to  feed  your  perishing  soul;  you  have  been 
seeking  something,  but  yet  remain  destitute.  Heark- 
en how  Christ  calls  you  to  eat  of  His  bread  and  to 
drink  of  the  wine  that  He  hath  mingled!  And  how 
much  like  a  lamb  does  Clirist  appear  in  Matt.  xi. 
28-30:  'Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  arc 
heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.  Take  my 
yoke  upon  you  and  learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and 
lowly  in  heart;  and  ye  shall  find  rest  to  your  souls. 
Por  my  yoke  is  easy  and  my  burden  is  light.'  O 
thou  poor  distressed  soul!  whoever  thou  art,  con- 
eider  that  Christ  mentions  thy  very  case,  when  He 


JONATHAN    EDWAKD8.  415 

calls  to  them  who  labor  and  are  heavy  laden!  How 
He  repeatedly  promises  you  rest  if  you  come  to  Him! 
In  the  28th  verse  he  says,  'I  will  give  you  rest.' 
And  in  the  29th  verse,  '  Ye  shall  find  rest  to  your 
souls.'  This  is  what  you  want.  This  is  the  thing 
you  have  been  so  long  in  vain  seeking  after.  O  hoAv 
sweet  would  rest  be  to  you  if  you  could  but  obtain 
it!  Come  to  Christ,  and  you  shall  obtain  it.  And 
hear  how  Christ,  to  encourage  you,  represents  Him- 
self as  a  lamb!  He  tells  you  that  He  is  meek  and 
lowly  in  heart;  and  are  you  afraid  to  come  to  such 
a  One?  And  again,  Rev.  iii.  20:  'Behold,  I  stand  at 
the  door  and  knock:  if  any  man  hear  my  voice  and 
open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  I  w^ill  sup 
with  him  and  he  with  me.'  Christ  condescends  not 
only  to  call  you  to  Him,  but  He  comes  to  you;  He 
comes  to  your  door  and  there  knocks.  He  might 
send  an  ofiicer  and  seize  you  as  a  rebel  and  vile  male- 
factor; but  instead  of  that  He  comes  and  knocks  at 
your  doof,  and  seeks  that  you  would  receive  Him 
into  your  house  as  your  friend  and  Saviour.  And 
He  not  only  knocks  at  your  door,  but  He  stands  there 
waiting  while  you  are  backward  and  unwilling.  And 
not  only  so,  but  He  makes  promises  what  He  will  do 
for  you  if  you  will  admit  Him,  what  privileges  He 
will  admit  you  to;  He  will  sup  with  you,  and  you 
with  Him.  And  again.  Rev.  xxii.  16,  17:  *I  am  the 
root  and  the  offspring  of  David,  and  the  bright  and 
morning  star.  And  the  Spirit  and  the  bride  say, 
Come.  And  let  him  that  heareth  say.  Come.  And 
let  him  that  is  athirst  come.     And  whosoever  will, 


416  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely.'  How  does 
Christ  here  graciously  set  before  you  His  own  win- 
ning attractive  excellency!  And  how  does  He  con- 
descend to  declare  to  you  not  only  His  own  invita- 
tion, but  the  invitation  of  the  Spirit  and  the  bride, 
if  by  any  means  He  might  encourage  you  to  come! 
And  how  does  He  invite  every  one  that  will,  that 
they  may  '  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely,'  that  they 
may  take  it  as  a  free  gift,  however  precious  it  be, 
and  though  it  be  the  water  of  life! 

Spiritual  Light. 

TTlxnS  is  the  most  excellent  and  divine  wisdom  that 
JL  any  creature  is  capable  of.  It  is  more  excellent 
than  any  human  learning;  it  is  far  more  excellent 
than  all  the  knowledge  of  the  greatest  philosophers 
or  statesmen.  Yea,  the  least  glimpse  of  the  glory 
of  God  in  the  face  of  Christ,  doth  more  exalt  and 
ennoble  the  soul  than  all  the  knowledge  of  those  that 
have  the  greatest  speculative  understanding  in  di- 
vinity without  grace.  This  knowledge  has  the  most 
noble  object  that  can  be,  viz.  the  divine  glory  and 
excellency  of  God  and  Christ.  The  knowledge  of 
these  objects  is  that  wherein  consists  the  most  excel- 
lent knowledge  of  the  angels,  yea,  of  God  Himself. 

This  knowledge  is  that  which  is  above  all  others 
sweet  and  joyful.  Men  have  a  great  deal  of  pleasure 
in  human  knowledge,  in  studies  of  natural  things; 
but  this  is  nothing  to  that  joy  which  arises  from  this 
divine  light  shining  into  the  soul.  This  light  gives 
a  view  of  those  things  that  are  immensely  the  most 


JONATHAN    EDWARDS.  417 

exquisitely  beautiful,  and  capable  of  delighting  the 
eye  of  the  understanding.  This  spiritual  light  is  the 
dawning  of  the  light  of  glory  in  the  heart.  There 
is  nothing  so  powerful  as  this  to  support  persons  in 
affliction,  and  to  give  the  mind  peace  and  brightness 
in  this  stormy  and  dark  world. 

This  light  is  such  as  effectually  influences  the  in- 
clination and  changes  the  nature  of  the  soul.  It  as- 
similates our  nature  to  the  divine  nature,  and  chano^es 
the  soul  into  an  image  of  the  same  glory  that  is  be- 
held. 2  Cor.  iii.  18:  'But  we  all  with  open  face, 
beholding  as  in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are 
changed  into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory, 
even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.'  -This  knowledge 
will  wean  from  the  world  and  raise  the  inclination 
to  heavenly  things.  It  will  turn  the  heart  to  God  as 
the  fountain  of  good,  and  to  choose  Him  for  the  only 
portion.  This  light,  and  this  only,  will  bring  the 
soul  to  a  saving  close  with  Christ.  It  conforms  the 
heart  to  the  gospel,  mortifies  its  enmity  and  opposi- 
tion against  the  scheme  of  salvation  therein  revealed: 
it  causes  the  heart  to  embrace  the  joyful  tidings,  and 
entirely  to  adhere  to,  and  acquiesce  in,  the  revelation 
of  Christ  as  our  Saviour:  it  causes  the  whole  soul  to 
accord  and  symphonize  with  it,  admitting  it  with 
entire  credit  and  respect,  cleaving  to  it  with  full  in- 
clination and  afiection;  and  it  efiectually  disposes  the 
soul  to  give  up  itself  entirely  to  Christ. 


IS* 


418  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Pardon  for  the  Greatest  Sinners. 

CHRIST  will  not  refuse  to  save  the  greatest  sin- 
ners, who  in  a  right  manner  come  to  God  for 
mercy;  for  this  is  His  work.  It  is  His  business  to 
be  a  Saviour  of  sinners;  it  is  the  work  upon  which 
He  came  into  the  world;  and  therefore  He  will  not 
object  to  it.  He  did  not  come  to  call  the  righteous^ 
but  sinners  to  repentance,  Matt.  ix.  13.  Sin  is  the 
very  evil  which  He  came  into  the  world  to  remedy: 
therefore  He  will  not  object  to  any  man  that  he  is 
very  sinful.  The  more  sinful  he  is,  the  more  need 
of  Christ.  The  sinfulness  of  man  was  the  reason  of 
Christ's  coming  into  the  world;  this  is  the  very 
misery  from  which  He  came  to  deliver  men.  The 
more  they  have  of  it,  the  more  need  they  have  of 
being  delivered:  'They  that  are  whole  need  not  a 
physician,  but  they  that  are  sick,'  Matt.  ix.  12.  The 
physician  will  not  make  it  an  objection  against  heal- 
ing a  man  who  applies  to  him,  that  he  stands  in  great 
need  of  his  help.  If  a  physician  of  compassion  comes 
among  the  sick  and  wounded,  surely  he  will  not  re- 
fuse to  heal  those  that  stand  in  most  need  of  healing, 
if  he  be  able  to  heal  them. 

Herein  doth  the  gloi^y  of  grace  by  the  redemption 
of  Christ  much  consist,  viz.  in  its  sufficiency  for  the 
pardon  of  the  greatest  sinners.  The  whole  contri- 
vance of  the  way  of  salvation  is  for  this  end,  to 
glorify  the  free  grace  of  God.  God  had  it  on  His 
heart  from  all  eternity  to  glorify  this  attribute;  and 
therefore  it  is  that  the  device  of  saving  sinners  by 
Christ  was  conceived.     The  greatness  of  divine  grace 


JONATHAN    EDWARDS.  *       419 

appears  very  much  in  this,  that  God  by  Christ  saves 
the  greatest  offenders.  The  greater  the  guilt  of  any 
sinner  is,  the  more  glorious  and  wonderful  is  the 
grace  manifested  in  his  pardon:  Rom.  v.  20.  'Where 
sin  abounded,  grace  did  much  more  abound.'  The 
apostle,  when  telling  how  great  a  sinner  he  had  been, 
takes  notice  of  the  abounding  of  grace  in  his  pardon, 
of  which  his  great  guilt  was  the  occasion:  1  Tim.  i. 
13.  '  Who  was  before  a  blasphemer  and  a  persecu- 
tor, and  injurious.  But  I  obtained  mercy;  and  the 
grace  of  our  Lord  was  exceeding  abundant,  with 
faith  and  love  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.'  The  Ee- 
deemer  is  glorified,  in  that  He  proves  sufficient  to 
redeem  those  who  are  exceeding  sinful,  in  that  His 
blood  proves  sufficient  to  wash  awa^^  the  greatest 
guilt,  in  that  He  is  able  to  save  men  to  the  uttermost 
and  in  that  He  redeems  even  from  the  fi^reatest 
misery.  It  is  the  honor  of  Christ  to  save  the  greatest 
sinners  when  they  come  to  Him,  as  it  is  the  honor  of 
a  physician  that  he  cures  the  most  desperate  diseases 
or  wounds.  Therefore,  no  doubt,  Christ  will  be 
willing  to  save  the  greatest  sinners  if  they  come  to 
Him;  for  He  will  not  be  backward  to  glorify  Him- 
self and  to  commend  the  value  and  virtue  of  His  own 
blood.  Seeing  He  hath  so  laid  out  Himself  to  re- 
deem sinners.  He  will  not  be  unwilling  to  show  that 
He  is  able  to  redeem  to  the  uttermost. 

Pardon  is  as  much  offered  and  promised  to  the 
greatest  sinners  as  anj^,  if  they  will  come  aright  to 
God  for  mercy.  The  invitations  of  the  gospel  are 
always  in  universal  terms:  as,  Ho,  every  one  that 


420     •  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

thirstetli;  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are 
heavy  laden;  and,  Whosoever  will,  let  him  come. 
And  the  voice  of  wisdom  is  to  men  in  general:  Pro  v. 
viii.  4.  '  Unto  you,  O  men,  I  call,  and  my  voice  is 
to  the  sons  of  men.'  Not  to  moral  men,  or  religious 
men,  but  to  you^  O  men.  So  Christ  promises,  John 
vi.  37:  'Him  that  cometh  to  me,  I  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out.'  This  is  the  direction  of  Christ  to  His 
apostles,  after  His  resurrection,  Mark  xvi.  15,  16: 
'  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature:  he  that  believeth  and  is  baptized, 
shall  be  saved.'  Which  is  agreeable  to  what  the 
apostle  saith,  that  '  the  gospel  was  preached  to  every 
creature  which  is  under  heaven,'  Col.  i.  23. 

Attkactions  in  the  Saviour. 

THE  wisdom  of  God  hath  contrived  that  there 
should  be  in  the  person  of  the  Saviour  all  man- 
ner of  attractives  to  draw  us  to  Him.  He  has  in  Him 
all  possible  excellency.  He  is  possessed  of  all  the 
beauty  and  glory  of  the  God-head.  So  that  there 
can  be  no  manner  of  excellency,  nor  degree  of  excel- 
lency that  we  can  devise,  but  what  is  in  the  person 
of  the  Saviour.  But  yet  so  redundant  has  the  wis- 
dom of  God  been,  in  providing  attractives  in  order 
that  we  should  come  to  Christ,  it  hath  so  ordered 
that  there  should  also  be  all  human  excellencies  in 
Him.  If  there  be  any  thing  attractive  in  this  con- 
sideration, that  Christ  is  one  in  our  own  nature,  one 
of  us;  this  is  true  of  Christ.  He  is  not  only  in  the 
divine,  l>ut  in  the  human  nature.     He  is  truly  a  man, 


JONATHAN    EDWARDS.  421 

and  has  all  possible  human  excellencies.  He  was  of 
a  most  excellent  spirit;  wise  and  holy,  condescend- 
ing and  meek,  and  of  a  lowly,  benign  and  benevolent 
disposition. 

Again:  The  wisdom  of  God  hath  chosen  a  person 
of  great  love  to  sinners,  and  who  should  show  that 
love  in  the  most  endearing  manner  possible.  What 
more  condescending  love  can  there  be,  than  the  love 
of  a  divine  person  to  such  worms  of  the  dust?  What 
freey*  love  can  there  be  than  love  to  enemies?  What 
greater  love  can  there  be  than  dying  love?  And 
what  more  endearing  exj)resszo7i  of  love,  than  dying 
for  the  beloved?  And  the  wisdom  of  God  hath  so 
contrived  that  Christ  shall  sustain  that  office  which 
should  most  tend  to  endear  Him  to  us,  and  draw  us 
to  Him:  the  office  of  a  Redeemer,  a  Redeemer  from 
eternal  misery,  and  the  purchaser  of  all  happiness. 

And  if  all  this  be  not  enough  to  draAV  us,  the  wis- 
dom of  God  hath  ordered  more;  it  hath  provided  us 
a  Saviour  that  should  offer  Himself  to  us  in  the  most 
endearing  relation.  He  offers  to  receive  us  as  friends. 
To  receive  us  to  a  union  with  Himself,  to  become 
our  spiritual  husband  and  portion  forever.  And  the 
wisdom  of  God  has  provided  us  a  Saviour  that  woos 
in  a  manner  that  has  the  greatest  tendency  to  win 
our  hearts.  His  w^ord  is  most  attractive.  He  stands 
at  our  door  and  knocks.  He  does  not  merely  com- 
mand us  to  receive  Him:  but  He  condescends  to 
apply  Himself  to  us  in  a  more  endearing  manner. 
He  entreats  and  beseeches  us  in  His  Word  and  by 
His  messengers. 


422  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

The  wisdom  of  God  hath  contrived  that  there 
should  be  all  manner  of  attractives  in  the  benefits  that 
Christ  offers  you.  There  are  not  only  the  excellen- 
cies of  the  person  of  Christ  to  draw  you  to  Him,  but 
the  desirable  benefits  He  offers.  Here  is  what  is 
most  suitable  to  the  cravins^s  of  the  human  nature. 
Men  when  distressed  and  burdened,  long  for  ease 
and  rest:  here  it  is  offered  to  us  in  Christ.  '  Come 
unto  me,'  says  He,  '  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy 
laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.'  Men  when  in  fear 
of  danger,  long  for  safety;  here  it  is  provided  for 
us  in  Christ.  God  promises  that  He  will  become  a 
shield  and  buckler,  a  strong  rock  and  high  tower  to 
those  that  trust  in  Him.  Those  that  mourn  need 
comfort:  Christ  tells  us  that  '  He  came  to  comfort 
those  that  mourn,'  Isa.  Ixi.  2.  The  blind  need  to 
have  their  eyes  opened.  The  light  is  sweet  to  men: 
Christ  offers  to  anoint  our  eyes  with  eye-salve  that 
we  may  see  glorious  light.  He  will  be  our  sun,  and 
the  light  of  God's  countenance.  What  is  more  dear 
to  men  than  life?  Christ  hath  purchased  for  men 
that  they  should  live  for  ever,  Psalm  xxi.  4.  '  He 
asked  life  of  Thee,  and  Thou  gavest  it  Him,  even 
length  of  days  for  ever  and  ever.'  How  greatly  is 
a  crown  prized  and  admired  by  the  children  of  men! 
And  Christ  offers  this;  not  a  corruptible  crown,  but 
an  incorruptible  and  far  more  glorious  crown  than 
any  worn  by  earthly  kings:  a  crown  of  glory,  the 
lustre  of  which  shall  never  fade,  nor  decay;  with  an 
everlasting  kingdom.  Do  men  \o\e iileasures?  Here 
are  pleasures  for  ever  more.     What  could  there  bo 


JONATHAN    EDWARDS.  423 

more  to  draw  our  hearts  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  to 
make  us  willing  to  accept  of  Him  for  our  Saviour, 
with  all  His  unspeakable  benefits? 

Our  Journey  towards  Heaven. 

LABOR  to  be  much  acquainted  with  heaven.  If 
you  are  not  acquainted  Avith  it,  you  will  not  be 
likely  to  spend  your  life  as  a  journey  thither.  You 
will  not  be  sensible  of  its  worth,  nor  will  you  long 
for  it.  Unless  you  are  much  conversant  in  your 
mind  with  a  better  good,  it  will  be  exceeding  diffi- 
cult to  you  to  have  your  hearts  loose  from  these 
things,  and  to  use  them  only  in  subordination  to 
something  else,  and  be  ready  to  part  with  them  for 
the  sake  of  that  better  good.  Labor  therefore  to 
obtain  a  realizing  sense  of  a  heavenly  world,  to  get 
a  firm  belief  of  its  reality,  and  to  be  very  much  con- 
versant with  it  in  your  thoughts. 

Seek  heaven  only  by  Jesus  Christ.  Christ  tells  us 
that  He  is  the  way,  and  the  truth,  and  the  life,  John 
xiv.  6.  He  tells  us  that  He  is  the  door  of  the  sheep. 
'  I  am  the  door,  by  me  if  any  man  enter  in  he  shall 
be  saved;  and  go  in  and  out  and  find  pasture,'  John 
X.  9.  If  w^e  therefore  would  improve  our  lives  as  a 
journey  towards  heaven,  we  must  seek  it  by  Him, 
and  not  by  our  own  righteousness;  as  expecting  to 
obtain  it  only  for  His  sake,  looking  to  Him,  having 
our  dependence  on  Him,  who  has  procured  it  for  us 
by  His  merit.  And  expect  strength  to  walk  in  holi- 
ness, the  way  that  leads  to  heaven,  only  from  Him. 

Let  Christians  help  one  another  in  going  this  jour- 


424:  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ney.  There  are  many  ways  whereby  Christians 
might  greatly  forward  one  another  in  their  way  to 
heaven,  as  by  religious  conference,  &c.  Therefore 
let  them  be  exhorted  to  go  this  journey  as  it  w^ere 
in  company,  conversing  together,  and  assisting  one 
another.  Company  is  very  desirable  in  a  journey, 
but  in  none  so  much  as  this.  Let  them  go  united, 
and  not  fall  out  by  the  way,  which  would  be  to  hin- 
der one  another;  but  use  all  means  they  can  to  help 
each  other  up  the  hill.  This  would  insure  a  more 
successful  traveling,  and  a  more  joyful  meeting  at 
their  Father's  house  in  glory. 


JOHN  WESLEY,  A.M. 
1703-1791. 

Keligion  in  the  Heart. 

ET  thy  religion  be  the  religion  of 
the  heart.  Let  it  lie  deep  in  thy  inmost 
soul.  Be  thou  little,  and  base,  and  mean, 
and  vile  (beyond  what  words  can  ex- 
press) in  thy  own  eyes;  amazed  and 
humbled  to  the  dust,  by  the  love  of  God  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus.  Be  serious.  Let  the  whole  stream 
of  thy  thoughts,  words  and  actions,  flow  from  the 
deepest  conviction  that  thou  standest  on  the  edge 
of  the  great  gulf,  thou  and  all  the  children  of  men, 
just  ready  to  drop  in,  either  into  everlasting  glory 
or  everlasting  burnings!  Let  thy  soul  be  filled 
with  mildness,  gentleness,  patience,  long-suffering 
towards  all  men ; — at  the  same  time  that  all  which 
is  in  thee  is  athirst  for  God,  the  living  God ;  long- 
ing to  awake  up  after  His  likeness,  and  to  be  sat- 
isfied with  it !  Be  thou  a  lover  of  God,  and  of  all 
mankind!  In  this  spirit,  do  and  suffer  all  things  I 
Thus  show  thy  faith  by  thy  works;  thus  'do  the 
will  of  thy  Father  which  is  in  heaven!'  And,  as 
sure  as  thou  now  walkest  with  God  on  earth,  thou 
shalt  also  reign  with  Him  in  glory ! 


426  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Walking  by  Faith. 

THEY  that  live  by  faith,  ivalJc  by  faith.  But 
what  is  implied  in  this?  They  regulate  all 
their  judgments  concerning  good  and  evil,  not  with 
reference  to  visible  and  temporal  things,  but  to  things 
invisible  and  eternal.  They  think  visible  things  to 
be  of  small  value,  because  they  pass  away  like  a 
dream;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  account  invisible 
things  to  be  of  high  value,  because  they  will  never 
pass  away.  Whatever  is  invisible  is  eternal :  the 
things  that  are  not  seen,  do  not  perish.  So  the 
apostle:  '  The  things  that  are  seen  are  temporal; 
but  the  things  that  are  not  seen  are  eternal.'  There- 
fore, they  that  walk  *  by  foith '  do  not  desire  the 
'  things  which  are  seen;'  neither  are  they  the  object 
of  their  pursuit.  They  *  set  their  affection  on  things 
above,  not  on  things  on  tlie  earth.'  They  seek  only 
•the  things  which  are  'where  Jesus  sitteth  at  the 
right  hand  of  God.'  Because  they  know  '  the 
things  that  are  seen  are  temporal;'  passing  away 
like  a  shadow;  therefore,  they  '  look  not  at  them:' 
they  desire  them  not;  they  account  them  as  nothing: 
but  '  they  look  at  the  things  which  are  not  seen; 
that  are  eternal ;'  that  never  pass  away.  By  these 
they  form  their  judgments  of  all  things.  They 
judge  them  to  be  good  or  evil,  as  they  promote  or 
hinder  their  welfare,  not  in  time,  but  in  eternity. 
They  weigh  whatever  occurs  in  this  balance:  what 
influence  has  it  on  my  eternal  state?  They  regulate 
all  their  tempers  and  passions,  all  their  desires,  joys 
and  fears,by  this  standard.     They  regulate  all  their 


JOHN    WESLEY.  427 

thoughts  and  designs,  all  their  words  and  actions,  so 
as  to  prepare  them  for  that  invisible  and  eternal 
world,  to  which  they  are  shortly  going.  They  do 
not  dwell,  but  only  sojoimi  here;  not  looking  upon 
earth  as  their  home,  but  only 

'  Traveling  through  Immanuel's  ground, 
To  fairer  worlds  on  high.' 

Our  Kedemption  Near. 

THE  time  of  our  eternal  redemption  draweth 
nigh.  Let  us  hold  out  a  little  longer,  and  all 
tears  shall  be  wiped  from  our  eyes,  and  we  shall 
never  sigh  nor  sorrow  any  more.  And  how  soon 
shall  we  forget  all  we  endured  in  this  earthly  taber- 
nacle, when  once  we  are  clothed  with  that  house 
which  is  from  above?  We  are  now  but  on  our  jour- 
ney towards  home,  and  so  must  expect  to  struggle 
with  many  difficulties;  but  it  will  not  be  long  ere 
we  come  to  our  journey's  end,  and  that  will  make 
amends  for  all.  We  shall  then  be  in  a  quiet  and 
safe  harbor,  out  of  the  reach  of  all  storms  and  dan- 
gers. We  shall  then  be  at  home  in  our  Father's 
house,  no  longer  exposed  to  the  inconveniences, 
which,  so  long  as  we  abide  abroad  in  these  tents,  we 
are  subject  to.  And  let  us  not  forfeit  all  this  hap- 
piness for  want  of  a  little  more  patience.  Only  let 
us  hold  out  to  the  end,  and  we  shall  receive  an 
abundant  recompense  for  all  the  trouble  and  uneasi- 
ness of  our  passage,  which  shall  be  endless  rest  and 
peace. 


428  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Second  Coming  of  Christ. 

SEE !  see!  He  cometh !  He  maketh  the  clouds 
His  chariot !  He  rideth  upon  the  wings  of  the 
wind  !  A  devouring  fire  goeth  before  Him,  and  after 
Him  a  flame  burneth  !  See!  He  sitteth  upon  His 
throne,  clothed  with  light  as  with  a  garment,  arrayed 
with  majesty  and  honor!  Behold,  His  eyes  are  as  a 
flame  of  fire.  His  voice  as  the  sound  of  many  waters! 
How  will  ye  escape?  Will  ye  call  to  the  moun- 
tains to  fall  on  you,  the  rocks  to  cover  you?  Alas, 
the  mountains  themselves,  the  rocks,  the  earth,  the 
heavens,  are  just  ready  to  flee  away!  Can  ye  pre- 
vent the  sentence?  Wherewith?  With  all  the  sub- 
stance of  thy  house,  with  thousands  of  gold  and  sil- 
ver? Blind  wretch  !  Thou  earnest  naked  from  thy 
mother's  womb,  and  more  naked  into  eternity.  Hear 
the  Lord,  the  Judge!  '  Come  ye  blessed  of  my 
Father!  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from 
the  foundation  of  the  world.'  Joyful  sound !  How 
widely  difierent  from  that  voice  which  echoes  through 
the  expanse  of  heaven,  '  Depart,  ye  cursed,  into 
everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  an- 
gels!' And  who  is  he  that  can  prevent  or  retard 
the  full  execution  of  either  sentence?  Vain  hope! 
Lo,  hell  is  moved  from  beneath  to  receive  those  who 
are  ripe  for  destruction  !  And  the  everlasting  doors 
lift  up  their  heads,  that  the  heirs  of  glory  may  come 
in. 


john  wesley.  429 

Felicity  of  Heaven. 

OH  when  shall  we  arrive,  at  that  happy  land 
where  no  complaints  were  ever  heard,  where 
we  shall  all  enjoy  uninterrnpted  health  both  of  body 
and  mind,  and  never  more  be  exposed  to  any  of  those 
inconveniences  that  disturb  our  present  pilgrimage? 
When  we  shall  have  once  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  we  shall  be  eased  of  all  the  troublesome  care 
of  our  bodies,  which  now  takes  up  so  much  of  our 
time  and  thoughts.  We  shall  be  set  free  from  all 
those  mean  and  tiresome  labors  which  we  must  now 
imdergo  to  support  our  lives.  Yon  robes  of  light, 
with  which  we  shall  be  clothed  at  the  resurrection 
of  the  just,  will  not  stand  in  need  of  those  careful 
provisions  which  it  is  so  troublesome  to  us  here 
either  to  procure,  or  to  be  without.  But  then,  as 
our  Lord  tells  us,  '  Those  who  shall  be  accounted 
worthy  to  obtain  that  world,  neither  marry  nor  are 
given  in  marriage,  neither  can  they  die  any  more,  but 
they  are  equal  to  the  angels.'  Their  bodies  are 
neither  subject  to  disease,  nor  want  that  daily  suste- 
nance, which  these  mortal  bodies  cannot  be  without. 
'Meats  for  the  belly,  and  the  belly  for  meats;  but 
God  will  destroy  both  it  and  them.'  This  is  that 
perfect  happiness  which  all  good  men  shall  enjoy  in 
the  other  world.  A  mind  free  from  all  trouble  and 
guilt,  in  a  body  free  from  all  pains  and  diseases. 
Thus  our  mortal  bodies  shall  be  raised  immortal. 
They  shall  not  only  be  always  preserved  from  death 
(for  so  these  might  be  if  God  pleased),  but  the  na- 
ture of  them  shall  be  wholly  changed,  so  that  they 


430  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

shall  not  retain  the  same  seeds  of  mortality:    they 
cannot  die  any  more. . 

The  Poor  in  Spirit. 
^  ryiHEIRS  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  Whoso- 
JL  ever  thou  art,  to  whom  God  hath  given  to  be 
*  poor  in  spirit,'  to  feel  thyself  lost,  thou  hast  a  right 
thereto,  through  the  gracious  promise  of  Him  who 
cannot  lie.  It  is  purchased  for  thee  by  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb.  It  is  very  nigh:  thou  art  on  the  brink 
of  heaven !  Another  step,  and  thou  enterest  into 
the  kingdom  of  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy! 
Art  thou  all  sin?  '  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  who 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world !' — All  unholy? 
See  thy  '  Advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ, 
the  riofhteous !' — Art  thou  unable  to  atone  for  the 
least  of  thy  sins?  '  He  is  the  propitiation  for  [all 
thy]  sins.'  Now  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  all  thy  sins  are  blotted  out ! — ^Art  thou  totally 
unclean  in  soul  and  body?  Here  is  the  '  fountain 
for  sin  and  uncleanness !'  '  Arise,  and  wash  away 
thy  sins  !'  Stagger  no  more  at  the  promise  through 
unbelief !  Give  glory  to  God !  Dare  to  believe! 
Now  cry  out  from  the  ground  of  thy  heart, 

'  Yes,  I  yield,  I  yield  at  last, 

Listen  to  Thy  speaking  blood ; 
Me,  with  all  my  sins,  I  cast 
On  my  atoning  God  !' 


WILLIAM  ROMAINB,  A.  M. 
1714-1795. 

Privileges  of  Prayer. 

HOU  goest,  O  my  soul,  to  meet  thy 
God  in  it — to  converse  with  thy  Fa- 
ther— to  call  on  Him  for  the  fulfilling  of 
His  promises  made  in  Jesus — to  wait  on 
Him  for  His  answers — and  to  give  Him 
His  glory.  Oh  what  blessed  seasons  hast  thou  en- 
joyed in  this  communion  with  thy  God !  How  has 
He  manifested  His  nearness  to  thee,  and  bounty 
towards  thee!  Hast  thou  not  found  His  heart 
open,  His  ears  open,  and  His  hands  open,  to  grant 
thee  the  request  of  thy  lips  ?  And  when  thou  hast 
not  found  such  sweet  fellowship  with  thy  God  in 
prayer,  yet  thy  dependence  on  His  faithful  word  has 
been  exercised  and  improved.  Thou  hast  left  thy 
petitions  with  thy  Friend  and  Advocate,  trusting  to 
that  most  glorious  description  of  Him  in  Rev.  viii. 
3,  4;  *And  another  angel  came  and  stood  at  the 
altar,  having  a  golden  censer;  and  there  was  given 
unto  him  much  incense,  that  he  should  ofi'er  it  with 
the  prayers  of  all  saints  upon  the  golden  altar,  which 
was  before  the  throne.  And  the  smoke  of  the  in- 
cense, which  came  with  the  prayers  of  the  saints. 


432  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ascended  uj)  before  God  out  of  the  angel's  hand.' 
O  Thou  great  Angel  of  the  covenant,  thus  present 
my  prayers!  They  are  nothing  Avorth,  but  as  per- 
fumed with  Thy  divine  odors.  Let  them  ever 
ascend  before  God  out  of  Thy  hand  with  the  smoke 
of  the  incense  of  Thy  sacrifice  and  intercession. 
Blessed  Spirit  of  prayer,  increase  my  faith,  that  I 
may  trust  more  to  a  prayer-hearing  God  and  Father, 
who  is  abvays  ready  to  grant  every  good  thing 
promised  to  His  children  in  Christ  Jesus.     Amen. 

Peayers.     I. 

LO,  I  come  before  Thee,  Holy  Father!  to  plead 
the  blood-sheddino^  and  the  rio^hteousness  of 
Thy  dear  Son;  and  I  hope  my  plea  will  be  admitted, 
through  the  intercession  of  the  Hio^h  Priest  of  the 
house  of  God.  Oh,  look.  Thou  God  of  peace,  upon 
the  face  of  Thy  Beloved!  See  me  in  Him.  I  desire 
to  be  found  in  Him,  And  for  His  sake  let  the  faith- 
ful witness  for  Thy  love  in  Jesus  abide  with  me,  that, 
in  hearing  and  reading  Thy  word,  in  prayer  and 
meditation.  He  may  increase  my  faith  in  Thee  and 
love  to  Thee. 

O  God  the  Holy  Ghost!  I  beseech  Thee  to  make 
practical  upon  my  heart  what  Thou  hast  revealed  in 
Scripture  of  the  Father's  love.  Deliver  me  from 
guilt  and  condemnation  by  the  sprinkling  of  the 
blood  of  Jesus.  Apply  it  effectually.  Apply  it  con- 
tinually. Help  me  to  believe  with  more  comfort  in 
my  conscience,  and  with  more  steadfastness  in  my 
walk,   that  His  blood  cleanseth  from  all   sin.      O 


WILLIAM    ROMAINE.  433 

blessed  Spirit!  carry  on  Thy  work  in  my  soul.  Lead 
me  from  faith  to  faith,  that  I  may  at  all  times  have 
freedom  to  enter  within  the  veil  to  a  reconciled  God 
and  Father,  and  may  be  able  to  maintain  peace  with 
Him  against  doubts  and  fears,  against  corruptions 
and  enemies.  Oh,  teach  me  to  draw  near  to  Him 
with  a  true  heart,  steadfastly  persuaded  of  His  love, 
and  in  full  assurance  of  faith.  This  is  Thy  gracious 
office:  Oh,  fulfil  it  in  me,  that  my  heart  may  be 
sprinkled  from  an  evil  conscience,  and  my  body 
washed  with  pure  water.  Let  me  find  grace  suffi- 
cient for  me,  for  Jesus'  sake;  to  whom,  with  Thee, 
O  Father,  and  the  eternal  Spirit,  three  persons  in 
one  Jehovah,  be  equal  honor  and  glory  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen. 

n. 

OFATHEK  of  mercies,  hear  me  for  Jesus'  sake! 
I  acknowledge  my  sinfulness  and  unworthiness, 
even  in  my  closest  walk  with  Thee.  I  am  less  than 
the  least  of  Thy  mercies;  yea,  deserving  the  heaviest 
of  Thy  vengeance.  It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercy,  that 
it  has  not  fallen  upon  me  long  ago;  and  I  trust  in 
His  word,  that  it  will  never  fall  upon  me.  Who  is 
a  God  like  unto  Thee,  that  pardoneth  iniquity,  and 
passeth  by  the  transgression  of  the  remnant  of  Thine 
heritage?  Thou  retainest  not  Thine  anger  against 
them  for  ever;  because  Thou  delightest  in  mercy. 
Glory  be  to  Thee  for  Thine  unspeakable  mercies: 
for  Thou  hast  given  me  faith  in  the  atonement  of 

Jesus,  l)y  whom  I  have  peace  with  Thee,  my  recon- 

19 


434  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

ciled  God,  and  by  whom  1  have  experienced  Thy 
great  love  to  me.     On  Thee,  O  my  God,  is  still  my 
hope.     I  look  up  to  Thee,  the  giver  of  those  graces, 
for  strength  to  maintain  them  in  my  daily  walk.     1 
do  believe  in  the  sacrifice  and  righteousness  of  Im- 
manuel;  Lord,  help  mine  unbelief!     I  find  it  hard 
to  preserve  in  my  practice,  what  I  believe  to  be  true 
in  doctrine;    and  therefore  on  Thy  present  help  I 
must   continually    depend.      Lord,    strengthen   me 
mightily  by  Thy  Spirit  in  the  inner  man  against 
temptations.     I  am  daily  and  hourly  called  upon  to 
exercise  my  faith;  and  when  Thy  grace  does  not 
hold  me  up,  I  fall.     The  fiery  darts  of  Satan  easily 
inflame  me,  when  they  are  thrown  at  my  legal  hopes, 
fiilse  dependencies,  or  self  righteous  tempers.     My 
shield,  which  should  quench  them,  is  ready  to  drop 
out  of  mine  hand.    I  should  fall  a  prey  to  the  enemy 
and  the  fire  would  consume  me,  if  Thy  mercy  was 
not  over  me  for  good.     O  my  God  and  Father, 
strengthen  my  faith  against  the  wiles  and  assaults  of 
Satan,  and  against  the  workings  of  mine  own  unbe- 
lief.    When  these  trials  come,  keep  me  sensible  of 
my   weakness,    and    dependent    on   Thy   promised 
strength,  that  I  may  meet  them  strong  in  the  Lord 
and  in  the  power  of  Thy  might.     Oh  let  every  trial 
teach  me  more  of  Thy  peace  iu  my  conscience,  and 
more  of  Thy  love  in  my  heart,  that  I  may  keep  on 
in  a  steady  course,  walking  humbly  with  my  God. 
This  is  the  work  of  Thy  good  Spirit.     I  cannot  pre- 
serve, nor  improve  His  graces,  unless  He  be  every 
moment  present  with  me.     He  is  the  giver,  the  con- 


WILLIAM    ROMAINE.  435 

tiiiuer,  the  increaser  of  them  .all.  O  God  the  Holy 
Ghost,  I  therefore  beseech  Thee  to  water  Thy  graces 
every  moment.  Lest  any  hurt  them,  keep  them, 
keep  them  night  and  day.  Never  leave  me,  nor  for- 
sake me;  but  what  thou  hast  graciously  begun,  that 
mightily  carry  on,  in  my  soul.  Temptations  are 
strong,  and  I  am  w^eak;  stand  by  me  in  the  hour  of 
need.  And  if  my  faith  be  tried  with  fiery  tempta- 
tions, let  it  come  out  of  them  like  gold  out  of  the 
fire.  O  Thou  almighty  Spirit,  confirm  by  trials,  im- 
prove by  experience,  my  trust  in  Thy  promised  help. 
Let  me  go  on  from  faith  to  faith.  Keep  up  the  con- 
fidence of  my  rejoicing  in  my  reconciled  God  and 
loving  Father,  that  I  may  walk  humbly  with  Him  in 
sweet  communion  and  holy  fellowship  in  the  way 
everlasting.  Grant  me  these  mercies,  gracious  Father, 
for  Thy  dear  Son's  sake,  by  the  influence  of  the 
Eternal  Spirit,  three  persons  in  one  Jehovah,  to  whom 
be  equal  praise  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

Praise  and  Prayer. 

PRAISE  and  prayer  go  together.  The  prayer  of 
faith  will  afford  continual  matter  for  praise. 
The  one  is  a  dependence  on  God  for  every  promised 
•blessing;  the  other  is  the  acknowledgment  of  His 
having  bestowed  it.  Innocent  man  had  his  heart  in 
this  sweet  work.  It  was  his  happiness.  Every 
breath  in  paradise  was  praise.  The  redeemed  man 
has  more  reason.  His  obligations  are  far  greater 
than  Adam  w^as  under  to  his  God — raised  from  his 
fall — saved  from  the  guilt  and  misery  of  it — chosen 


436  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHST. 

and  called  to  this  salvacion  by  mere  grace — through 
faith  a  partaker  of  it — an  heir  of  God,  and  a  joint- 
heir  with  Christ.  Oh  what  motives  are  these,  to 
continual  thankfulness !  And  these  motives  are 
eifectual  when  the  Holy  Spirit  discovers  the  things 
that  are  freely  given  to  us  of  God.  He  makes  us 
sensible  of  them  and  thankful  for  them;  for  He  pre- 
serves in  the  soul  a  blessed  poverty  of  spirit,  an 
humble,  abiding  sense  of  wants  and  unworthiness; 
and  thus  He  lays  a  sure  foundation  for  thankfulness. 

Institution  and  Benefits  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

LOOK  well  to  the  end  of  the  institution.  It  was 
not  only  to  remind  thee  of,  but  also  to  convey 
to  thee,  all  the  blessings  of  that  one  offering,  which 
perfects  for  ever.  It  was  to  teach  thee  that  thy 
spiritual  life,  and  every  grace  and  comfort  of  it,  are 
as  dependent  upon  Christ  crucified  as  the  life  of  thy 
body  is  upon  the  meat  and  drink  of  this  world.  Thy 
life  comes  from  His  death.  Thy  life  is  nourished  by 
feeding  upon  Christ  thy  passover,  who  was  sacrificed 
for  thee.  He  intended  by  the  bread  to  point  out 
unto  thee  His  body,  and  by  the  wine.  His  blood — by 
eatiug  and  drinking  them,  thy  taking  and  living  upon 
Him — by  thy  bodily  support  received  from  them,  the 
nourishment  of  thy  soul  by  eating  His  flesh  and 
drinking  His  blood.  He  would  have  thee  to  look 
through  the  signs  to  the  things  signified.  Thou  art 
not  to  rest  in  the  outward  act,  but  to  rest  in  the 
promise  in  the  Word  of  God.  Thy  faith  is  not  to  be 
exercised  about  the  Lord's  Supper  as  a  duty;  but  it 


WILLIAM    K03IAI^E.  437 

is  to  be  exercised  upon  His  Word;  and  what  He  has 
therein  promised  to  make  it,  that  thou  art  to  expect 
in  taking  it.  He  appointed  it  to  be  the  means  of 
communicating  with  Him,  and  of  thy  enjoying  fellow- 
ship with  Him  in  His  sufferings.  It  is  a  spiritual 
believing  act,  in  which  thou  art  invited  to  partake 
of  the  paschal  lamb.  It  is  the  Lord's  passover,  and 
will  certainly  answer  every  purpose  for  which  He 
instituted  it.  He  appointed  it  to  be  the  means  of 
safety  from  the  destroyer,  of  deliverance  from  bond- 
age, of  free  and  full  forgiveness  of  all  sins,  of  a  happy 
passage  through  the  Red  Sea,  and  of  the  everlasting 
possession  of  the  promised  inheritance. 

The  Full  Vision  and  Enjoyment  of  Christ. 

MAKE  haste,  my  Beloved,  and  take  me  to  Thy- 
self: let  me  see  Thee  face  to  face,  and  enjoy 
Thee,  Thou  dearest  Jesus,  whom  my  soul  longeth 
after.  It  is  good  to  live  upon  Thee  by  faith,"  but 
to  live  with  Thee  is  best  of  all.  I  have  found  one 
day  in  Thy  courts,  conversing  sweetly  with  Thee, 
better  than  a  thousand;  but  this  has  only  whetted 
my  appetite:  the  more  communion  I  have  with 
Thee,  I  hunger  and  thirst  still  for  more.  My 
soul  panteth  for  nearer,  still  nearer  communion 
with  Thee.  When  shall  I  come  to  appear  before 
the  presence  of  God?  O  Thou  Light  of  my  life, 
Thou  Joy  of  my  heart,  Thou  knowest  how  I 
wish  for  the  end  of  my  faith,  Avhen  I  shall  no 
longer  see  through  a  glass  darkly,  but  with  open 
face    behold   the    glory    of  my   Lord.     Thou   hast 


438  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

SO  endeared  Thyself  to  me,  Thou  precious  Im- 
manuel!  by  ten  thousand  thousand  kindnesses,  that 
I  cannot  be  entirely  satisfied,  until  I  have  the  full 
vision  and  complete  enjoyment  of  Thyself.  The  day 
of  our  espousals  has  been  a  blessed  time.  Oh,  for 
the  marriage  of  the  Lamb,  when  I  shall  be  presented 
as  a  chaste  virgin  to  my  heavenly  Bridegroom!  How 
can  I  but  long  earnestly  for  this  full  enjoyment  of 
Thy  everlasting  love!  Come,  Lord  Jesus;  let  me 
see  Thee  as  Thou  art.  Come  and  make  me  like  unto 
Thee.  I  do  love  Thee;  I  am  now  happy  in  Thy 
love;  but  not  so  as  I  hope  to  be.  I  am  often  inter- 
rupted here,  and  never  love  Thee  so  much  as  I  desire; 
but  these  blessed  spirits  standing  now  round  Thy 
throne  are  perfected  in  love.  Oh!  that  1  was  once 
admitted  to  see,  as  they  do,  the  glory  of  God  in  the 
face  of  Jesus  Christ!  Is  not  that  the  voice  of  my 
Beloved,  which  I  hear  answering,  Surely  I  come 
quicJdy!  Amen,  say  I,  even  so  come;  Lord  Jesus. 
Make  haste,  my  Beloved,  and  be  Thou  like  to  a  roe, 
or  to  a  young  hart,  upon  the  mountains  of  spices. 


ROBERT  WALKER. 
1716-1783. 

On  Peayer. 

^RAYER  keeps  the  communication 
open  between  the  Head  and  the 
members;  it  is  the  messenger  that  goes 
from  earth  to  heaven,  and  returns  with  all 
necessary  blessings  from  thence.  Beware, 
then,  of  neglecting  this  necessary  duty.  Pray  in 
faith,  pray  in  the  name  of  Christ,  pray  without 
ceasing;  and  beg  of  Christ  to  teach  you  to  pray 
aright,  that  you  may  ask  and  receive,  and  then 
your  joy  shall  be  full. 

The  Believing  Soul's  Address  to  Christ. 

O  BLESSED  Jesus!  saith  the  soul  that  comes  to 
Him,  Thou  true  and  living  way  to  the  Father! 
I  adore  Thy  condescending  grace  in  becoming  a 
sacrifice  and  sin-offering  for  me:  and  now,  encouraged 
by  Thy  kind  invitation,  I  flee  to  Thee  as  my  only 
city  of  refuge;  I  come  to  Thee  'wretched,  and 
miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked' — I  have 
no  price  to  offer  Thee,  no  goodness  at  all  to  recom- 
mend me  to  Thy  favor:  '  laboring,  and  heavy  laden,' 


440  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

I  cast  myself  at  Thy  feet,  and  look  to  Thy  free  mercy 
alone  for  the  removal  of  this  burden,  which,  without 
Thy  interposition,  must  sink  me  down  to  the  lowest 
hell.  Abhorring  myself  in  every  view  I  can  take,  I 
embrace  Thee  for  my  righteousness;  sprinkled  with 
Thy  atoning  blood,  I  shall  not  fear  the  destroying 
angel — justice  hath  already  had  its  triumph  on  Thy 
Cross,  and  therefore  I  take  Thy  Cross  for  my  sanctu- 
ary. This  is  my  rest:  and  here  will  I  stay,  for  I 
like  it  well. 

Nor  is  this  my  only  errand  to  Thee,  O  Thou  com- 
plete Saviour!  I  bring  to  Thee  a  dark  benighted 
mind  to  be  illuminated  with  savino^  knowledo;e. 
'Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life;'  'in  Thee  are 
hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom:'  I  therefore  resign 
my  understanding  to  Thy  teaching:  for  'No  man 
knoweth  the  Father  but  the  Son,  and  those  to  whom 
the  Son  shall  reveal  Him.' 

I  likewise  choose  Thee  for  my  Lord  and  my  King; 
for  '  Thou  art  altogether  lovely,'  and  in  every 
character  necessary  to  my  soul.  Here  are  enemies 
whom  none  can  vanquish  but  Thyself;  here  are  cor- 
ruptions, which  nothing  less  than  all-conquering 
grace  can  subdue:  I  therefore  implore  Thine  almighty 
aid.  Do  Thou  possess  Thy  throne  in  my  heart,  and 
cast  out  of  it  whatever  opposeth  or  offendeth  Thee. 
It  is  Thine  already  by  purchase;  O  make  it  Thine 
also  by  conquest!  and  perform  the  whole  work  of  a 
Saviour  upon  it 


robekt  walkkr.  442 

The  Heavy  Laden  Invited  to  Christ. 

OUR  Lord  Himself  hath  declared  in  the  most 
solemn  manner,  that  none  shall  be  rejected  who 
come  to  Him  for  salvation.  These  are  His  words: 
'  Him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.' 
I  will  receive  him  with  outstretched  arms;  I  will 
tenderly  embrace  and  cherish  him,  and  so  unite  him 
to  myself,  that  the  combined  force  of  earth  and  hell 
shall  never  be  able  to  dissolve  the  union,  or  to  sepa- 
rate His  soul  from  my  unchangeable  love. 

Lift  up  thy  head,  then,  O  '  laboring  and  heavy 
laden'  sinner!  Doth  the  Father  command  you  to 
believe  on  His  Son?  Doth  the  Lord  Jesus  invite, 
nay,  entreat  you  to  come  to  Him,  and  at  the  same 
time  assure  you  that  '  He  will  in  no  wise  cast  you 
out?'  And  shall  not  this  multiplied  security  remove 
all  your  doubts,  and  bring  you  to  Him  with  an 
humble,  but  steadfast  hope  of  obtaining  that  rest 
which  He  offers  unto  you?  Say  not  henceforth,  My 
burden  is  so  heavy,  and  my  guilt  so  great,  that  I  dare 
not  go  to  Him;  but  rather  say,  my  burden  is  so 
heavy  that  I  must  go  to  Him;  for  no  other  arm  can 
remove  it  but  His  own.  He  offers  you  His  help, 
because  you  are  miserable;  He  invites  you  to  come 
to  Him,  not  because  you  deserve,  but  because  you 
need  His  aid.  Arise  then,  O  sinners!  and  obey  His 
call:  cast  your  burden  upon  Him  who  is  mighty  to 
save;  yield  yourselves,  without  reserve,  to  this  faithful 
Redeemer,  to  be  justified  by  His  blood  and  sanctified 
by  His  Spirit;   '  take  His  yoke  upon  you,  and  learn 

of  Him;'  and  then  you  shall  find  7^est  to  your  soul. 

10* 


4A2  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Grace. 

GRACE,  though  a  small  rivulet  in  appearance,  is 
fed  with  an  everlasting  spring.  Where  the 
Lord  Jesus  begins  a  good  work,  He  will  carry  it  on 
to  perfection,  and  never  leave  the  objects  of  His 
love  till  He  hath  made  them  like  Himself,  all  glori- 
ous both  within  and  without,  and  presented  them  to 
His  Father  without  spot  and  blemish. 

Kesigxatiox  to  the  Divine  Will. 

RESIGNATION  to  the  will  of  God  frees  the 
mind  from  a  grievous  bondage,  the  bondage 
of  earthly  pursuits  and  expectations.  Whatever 
God  wills,  is  pleasing  to  the  resigned  soul;  and  when 
a  Christian  hath,  by  prayer  and  supplication,  made 
known  his  requests  to  God,  then  the  peace  of  God 
which  passeth  all  understanding,  keeps  his  heart  and 
mind  through  Jesus  Christ.  Then  only  is  life  truly 
enjoyed,  when  we  relish  its  comforts,  at  the  same 
time  that  we  are  prepared  to  part  with  them.  The 
anxieties  of  the  worldly  man  torment  him  with  the 
pangs  of  a  thousand  deaths.  His  soul  dies  within 
him  as  often  as  he  conceives  the  apprehension  of 
losing  those  good  things  which  he  w^ould  wish  always 
to  enjoy.  Whereas  he  who  hath  resigned  his  will  to 
the  will  of  God,  '  eats  his  bread  with  joy,  and  drinks 
his  wine  with  a  merry  heart.'  Even  the  thought  of 
his  dying  hour  throws  no  damp  on  the  joys  of  his 
mind.  From  the  contemplation  of  God's  goodness 
to  him  in  life,  he  can  pass  without  terror  or  amaze- 
ment to  the  thought  of  His  protection  in  the  dark 


ROBERT    WALKER.  443 

valley  and  shadow  of  death.  Even  hi  that  gloomy 
passage  he  fears  no  evil;  but  commits  himself  to  the 
Lord  his  Shepherd,  who  will  make  goodness  and 
mercy  to  follow  him  all  the  days  of  his  life,  and  at 
last  will  bring  him  to  dwell  in  His  house  above  for 
ever. 

Christ's  Presence  ^^^TH  Believers  at  Death. 

WHEN  they  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death.  His  rod  and  His  staff  com- 
fort and  sustain  them.  He  fortifies  and  cheers  their 
departing  spirits;  and  when  the  evening  shadows 
gather  thick  around  them,  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Com- 
forter, is  sent  to  say  to  them,  that  death  as  well  as 
life  is  theirs.  Nay,  the  Good  Shepherd  Himself, 
who  gave  Hjs  life  for  the  sheep,'  will  say  to  them 
in  this  awful  hour,  '  Fear  not,  I  am  He  that  liveth 
and  was  dead;  and  behold,  I  am  alive  for  evermore, 
and  have  the  keys  of  hell  and  death: — I  am  the 
resurrection  and  the  life:  he  that  believeth  on  me, 
though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live.'  What  a 
multitude  of  saints,  who  now  inherit  the  promises, 
have  in  their  last  moments  experienced  the  effect  of 
these  gracious  and  joyful  assurances!  In  how  many 
instances  hath  a  lively  and  unexpected  view  of  the 
promises  of  God,  and  of  the  great  redemption,  sus- 
tained and  even  elevated  a  dying  saint,  who  from 
the  infirmities  of  the  body,  or  other  causes,  was, 
through  fear  of  death,  subject  to  bondage  all  his  life! 
The  sensible  presence  of  the  good  Shepherd,  in  these 
awful  moments,  will  support  the  most  fearful,  and 


4:44  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

the  feeblest  of  the  flock.  It  will  enable  him  that 
hath  no  might,  to  triumph  over  death,  and  him  that 
hath  the  power  of  death;  and,  even  in  the  presence 
of  the  king  of  terrors,  it  will  teach  him  this  song 
of  victory,  'My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth;  but  God 
is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever.' 
— *  Thanks  be  unto  God,  which  hath  given  me  the  vic- 
tory, through  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord.* — '  For  I  am 
persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels, 
nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present, 
nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any 
other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  me  from  the 
love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  my  Lord.' 


SAMUEL  DAVIES,  A.M. 
1724-1761. 

Excellency  of  the  Divine  Being. 

^ONSIDER  the  excellency  of  the  Di- 
vine Being,  the  sum  total,  the  great 
original  of  all  perfections.  How  infinite- 
ly worthy  is  He  of  the  adoration  of  all 
His  creatures!  how  deserving  of  their 
most  intense  thoughts  and  most  ardent  affections! 
If  majesty  and  glory  can  strike  us  with  awe  and 
veneration,  does  not  Jehovah  demand  them,  who 
is  clothed  with  majesty  and  glory  as  with  a  gar- 
ment, and  before  whom  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth  are  as  grasshoppers,  as  nothing,  as  less  than 
nothing,  and  vanity  ?  If  wisdom  excites  our  pleas- 
ing wonder,  here  is  an  unfathomable  depth.  O  the 
depth  of  the  riches  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge 
of  God !  If  goodness,  grace,  and  mercy  attract  our 
love  and  gratitude,  here  these  amiable  perfections 
shine  in  their  most  alluring  glories.  If  justice  strikes 
a  damp  to  the  guilty,  here  is  justice  in  all  its  tre- 
mendous majesty.  If  veracity,  if  candor,  if  any  or 
all  of  the  moral  virtues  engage  our  esteem,  here  they 
all  centre  in  their  highest  perfection.  If  the  pres- 
ence of  a  king  strikes  a  reverence ;  if  the  eye  of  his 


M6  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

judge  awes  the  criminal,  and  restrains  him  from  of- 
fending, certainly  we  should  fear  before  the  Lord  all 
the  day,  for  we  are  surrounded  with  His  omnipres- 
ence, and  He  is  the  inspector  and  judge  of  all  our 
thoughts  and  actions.  If  riches  excite  desire,  here 
are  unsearchable  riches:  if  happiness  has  charms  that 
draw  all  the  world  after  it,  here  is  an  unbounded 
ocean  of  happiness;  here  is  the  only  complete  ^Dortion 
fhv  an  immortal  mind.  Men  are  affected  with  these 
things  in  one  another,  though  found  in  a  ver}^  imper- 
fect degree.  Power  awes  and  commands;  virtue  and 
goodness  please;  beauty  charms;  justice  strikes  with 
solemnity  and  terror;  a  bright  genius  is  admired;  a 
benevolent,  merciful  temper  is  loved:  thus  men  are 
affected  with  created  excellences.  Whence  is  it,  then, 
they  are  so  stupidly  unaffected  with  the  supreme 
excellences  of  Jehovah? 

Love  of  God  in  the  Gift  of  His  Son. 

NEYEE  was  there  such  a  display  of  love  in 
heaven  or  on  earth.  You  can  no  more  find 
love  equal  to  this  among  creatures,  than  you  can  find 
among  them  the  infinite  power  that  formed  the  uni- 
verse out  of  nothing.  This  will  stand  upon  record 
to  all  eternity,  as  the  unprecedented,  unparalleled,  in- 
imitable love  of  God.  And  it  appears  the  more 
illustrious  when  we  consider  that  this  unspeakable 
gift  was  given  to  sinners,  to  rebels,  to  enemies,  that 
were  so  far  from  deserving  it,  that,  on  the  other 
hand,  it  is  a  miracle  of  mercy  that  they  are  not  all 
groaning  for  ever  under  the  tremendous  Aveight  of 


SAMUEL    DAVIES.  447 

His  justice.  O  !  that  I  -could  say  something  becom- 
ing this  love;  something  that  might  do  honor  to  it ! 
but,  alas !  the  language  of  mortals  was  formed  for 
lower  subjects.  This  love  passes  all  description  and 
all  knowledge. 


The  Saints'  Happiness  at  the  Judgment  Day. 

SEE  the  bright  and  triumphant  army  marching  up 
to  their  eternal  home,  under  the  conduct  of  the 
Captain  of  their  salvation,  where  they  shall  ever  he 
loith  the  Lord,  1  Thess.  iv.  17,  as  happy  as  their 
nature  in  its  highest  improvement  is  capable  of  being 
made.  With  what  shouts  of  joy  and  triumph  do 
they  ascend !  with  what  sublime  hallelujahs  do  they 
crown  their  Deliverer  !  with  what  wonder  and  joy, , 
with  what  pleasing  horror,  like  one  that  has  narrow- 
ly escaped  some  tremendous  precipice,  do  they  look 
back  upon  what  they  once  were  !  once  mean,  guilty, 
depraved,  condemned  sinners  !  afterward  imperfect, 
broken-hearted,  sighing,  weeping  saints !  but  now 
innocent,  holy,  happy,  glorious  immortals  I 

'  Are  these  the  forms  that  mouldered  in  the  dust? 
O  the  transcendent  glories  of  the  just! ' — Young. 

Now  with  what  pleasure  and  rapture  do  they  look 
forward  through  tlie  long,  long  prospect  of  immor- 
tality, and  call  it  their  own !  the  duration  not  only 
of  their  existence,  but  of  their  happiness  and  glory  ! 
O  shall  any  of  us  share  in  this  immensely  valuable 
privilege?  how  immensely  transporting  the  thought? 


413  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

'  Shall  we.  who  some  few  years  ago  were  less 
Than  worm,  or  mite,  or  shadow  can  express; 
Were  nothing;  shall  we  live,  when  every  fire 
Of  every  star  shall  languish  or  expire? 
"When  earth's  no  more,  shall  we  survive  above, 
And  through  the  shining  ranks  of  angels  move? 
Or,  as  before  the  throne  of  God  we  stand. 
See  new  worlds  rolling  from  His  mighty  hand? — 
All  that  has  being  in  full  concert  join. 
And  celebrate  the  depths  of  love  divine! ' — Young. 

The  Preciousness  of  Cheist. 

HE  is  precious  in  Himself,  as  possessing  all  the 
fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily,  the  sum  total 
of  all  divine  excellencies,  and  as  clothed  with  all  the 
virtues  of  a  perfect  man.  In  short,  all  moral  excel- 
lency, divine  and  human,  created  and  uncreated, 
centre  in  Him,  and  render  Him  infinitely  precious 
and  valuable.  He  is  precious  to  His  Father;  His 
beloved  Son,  in  ivhom  He  is  well  pleased;  His  elect, 
in  whom  His  soul  delighteth.  He  is  precious  to 
angels;  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  Uiat  ivas  slain,  is  their 
eternal  song.  He  is  dear  to  all  good  men  in  all  ages. 
To  you  therefore  that  believe  He  is  jprecious,  says  St. 
Peter,  1  Peter  ii.  7.  How  precious  are  His  atoning 
blood  and  meritorious  righteousness  to  the  guilty, 
self-condemned  soul !  how  precious  is  His  sanctifying 
grace  to  the  soul  heavy-laden  with  sin,  and  groaning 
under  that  body  of  death !  how  precious  the  assist- 
ance of  His  almighty  arm  to  His  poor  soldiers  in  the 
spiritual  warfare  !  how  precious  the  light  of  His  in- 
structions to  the  benighted,  wandering  mind;  how 
sweet  the  words  of  His  mouth;  sweeter  than  honey 


SAMUEL    DAVIES.  449 

from  the  honey-comb.  How  precious  the  light  of 
His  smiling  countenance,  and  the  sensations  of  His 
love  to  the  desponding,  sinking  soul !  how  precious 
that  eternal  salvation  which  He  imparts !  and  how 
precious  the  price  He  paid  for  it !  N^ot  corruptible 
things,  such  as  silver  and  gold,  says  St.  Peter,  hut. 
His  oion  j^recioiis  hlood,  1  Peter  i.  18,  19.  In  short, 
He  is  altogether  lovely,  altogether  precious. 

Christ  the  Only  Foundation. 

IF  you  have  already  made  Him  so,  then  be  assured 
you  are  safe  and  immoveable  for  ever.  Let 
storms  of  private  or  public  calamity  rise  and  beat 
upon  you;  let  your  fears  and  doubts  rise  to  ever  so 
high  a  deluge;  let  temptations  make  ever  so  severe 
attacks  upon  you,  still  the  foundation  on  which  you 
stand  abides  firm  and  unshaken.  Nay,  let  all  nature 
go  to  wreck,  and  seas  and  land,  and  heaven  and  earth 
be  blended  together,  still  this  foundation  stands  firm, 
and  the  living  temple  built  upon  it  will  remain  im- 
moveable for  ever.  You  that  believe  need  not  make 
haste,  you  need  not  be  struck  with  consternation 
upon  the  appearance  of  danger,  nor  fly  to  unlaAvful 
means  of  deliverance:  your  all  is  safe,  and  therefore 
you  may  be  serene  and  calm.  Is  the  burden  of  guilt 
intolerable,  and  are  you  ready  to  sink  under  it?  Or 
are  you  sinking  under  a  load  of  sorrow?  Whatever 
be  the  burden,  cast  it  upon  the  Lord,  and  He  will 
sustain  you.  This  foundation  is  able  to  bear  you  up, 
however  great  the  pressure.  Come,  ye  that  are 
weary  and  heavy-laden,  come,  and  build  your  hopes, 


450  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  place  your  rest  here.  O  !  what  joyful  tidings 
are  these  !  I  hope  they  will  prove  a  word  in  season 
to  some  soul  that  is  weary. 

The  Saviour  in  His  Exaltation. 

LIFT  up  your  eyes  to  seats  above :  there  you  may 
behold  Him  who  tasted  of  death,  crowned  vv^ith 
glory  and  honor.  His  head,  that  was  once  crowned 
with  thorns,  is  now  adorned  with  a  crown  of  glory: 
His  face,  that  was  once  bruised  with  blows,  and  dis- 
graced with  spitting,  shines  brighter  than  the  sun  in 
his  meridian  glory:  His  hands,  that  were  once  nailed 
to  the  cross,  now  sway  the  sceptre  of  the  universe: 
and  His  feet,  that  were  cruelly  pierced,  now  walk 
the  crystal  pavement  of  heaven.  He  that  was  in- 
sulted by  Jews  and  Gentiles,  He  at  whom  they  wag- 
ged their  heads,  is  now  adored  by  all  the  heavenly 
hosts,  who  congratulate  His  exaltation,  and  cry  with 
united  voice,  '  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to 
receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength, 
and  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing,'  Rev.  v.  11,  12. 
This  is  the  voice  of  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand, 
and  thousands  of  thousands  in  that  world  where 
Jesus  is  best  known.  And  shall  we  break  the  har- 
mony of  the  universal  choir?  Shall  we  not  echo 
back  their  song,  and  reply,  To  Him  that  loved  us, 
and  ivashed  us  from  our  sins  in  His  oivn  blood, 
(which  is  more  than  He  did  for  angels,)  to  Him  he 
glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever,  Amen,  Rev. 
i.  5,  6.  Shall  we  not  look  to  Him  whose  glory 
attracts  the  eyes  of  all  the  celestial  armies,  and  con- 


SAJ^IUEL    DA  VIES.  451 

gratiilate  His  exaltation?  We  have  cause  indeed  to 
rejoice  in  it;  for  O  !  He  is  exalted,  that  He  may  have 
mercy  upon  us,  Isa.  xxx.  18;  He  has  ascended  the 
throne,  that  He  may  thence  scatter  blessings  on  a 
guilty  world  beneath  Him.  He  retains  His  usual 
love,  and  the  tenderest  bowels  of  compassion  towards 
the  meanest  of  His  people.  He  is  now  pleading 
their  cause  in  the  court  of  heaven,  and  preparing  a 
place  for  them.  From  thence  He  exhibits  Himself 
to  our  intellectual  view,  and  invites  us  to  look  to 
Him.  And  can  we  slight  such  glory  and  love  united? 
Are  our  natures  capable  of  such  infernal  ingratitude? 

0  let  us  look  to  Him,  especially  since  it  shall  not  be 
in  vain. 

Hope  of  the  Righteous  in  Death. 

THIS  righteous  man  has  an  humble  hope  of  sup- 
port in  death.  He  has  repeatedly  intrusted 
himself  into  the  faithful  hands  of  an  almighty  Sav- 
iour, for  life  and  death,  for  time  and  eternity;  and 
he  humbly  hopes  his  Saviour  will  not  forsake  him 
now — now,  when  he  most  needs  His  assistance.  This 
was  St.  Paul's  support,  under  the  prospect  of  his 
last  hour:  'I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am 
persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I 
have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day,'  2  Tim. 
i.  12.     As  if  he  had  said,  finding  my  own  Avcakness, 

1  have  committed  my  all  into  another  hand;  and  I 
have  committed  it  to  one  whose  ability  and  faithful- 
ness have  been  tried  by  thousands  as  well  as  myself: 
and,   therefore,  I  am  confident  He  will  keep  the 


452  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

sacred  depositum,  and  never  suffer  it  to  be  injured 
or  lost.  This  was  also  the  support  of  the  psalmist, 
'  Though  I  walk,'  says  he,  '  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil;  for  Thou  art 
with  me;  Thy  rod  and  Thy  staff  they  shall  comfort 
me,'  Psalm  xxiii.  4.  Yea,  it  was  upon  this  support 
St.  Paul  leaned,  when  he  braved  death,  in  that  tri- 
umphant language,  '  Who  shall  separate  us  from  the 
love  of  God?  Shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  per- 
secution, or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword? 
No;  in  all  these  things  we  are  more  than  conquer- 
ors, through  Him  that  loved  us:  for  I  am  persuaded,' 
says  he,  '  that  death ' — that  separates  our  souls  and 
bodies — that  separates  friend  from  friend — that  sep- 
arates us  from  all  our  earthly  comforts,  and  breaks 
all  our  connections  with  this  world,  even  death 
itself,  '  shall  never  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,'  Rom.  viii.  35-39.  What 
a  faithful  Friend,  what  a  powerful  Guardian  is  this, 
who  stands  by  His  people,  and  bears  them  up  in  their 
last  extremity,  and  makes  them  more  than  conquer- 
ors in  the  struggle  with  the  all-conquering  enemy  of 
mankind !  How  peculiar  a  happiness  is  this,  to  be 
able  to  enjoy  the  comfort  of  hope,  in  the  wreck  of 
human  nature  !  How  sweet  to  lean  a  dying  head 
upon  the  kind  arm  of  an  almighty  Saviour  !  How 
sweet  to  intrust  a  departing  soul  as  a  depositum  in 
His  faithful  hand  !  O,  may  you  and  I  enjoy  this 
blessed  support  in  a  dying  hour  !  and  may  we  make 
it  our  great  business  in  life  to  secure  it !  In  that 
gloomy  hour,  our  friends  may  weep,  and  wring  their 


SAMUEL    DAVIES.  453 

bauds  around  our  beds;  but  they  can  afford  us  no 
help — no  hope  !  But  Jesus  can,  as  thousands  have 
known  by  experience.  Then  He  can  bear  home  His 
promises  upon  the  heart;  then  He  can  communicate 
His  love,  which  is  better  than  life;  and,  by  His  holy 
Spirit,  bear  up  and  encourage  the  sinking  soul ! 
Blessed  Jesus  I  what  friend  can  compare  to  Thee? — 

'  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are ; 
While  on  His  breast  I  lean  my  head, 
And  breathe  my  soul  out  sweetly  there.' 

Hope  of  a  Happy  Immortality, 

OH,  what  a  glorious  hope  is  this  !  This  has  made 
many  a  soul  welcome  death  with  open  arms. 
This  has  made  them  '  desirous  to  be  with  Christ, 
which  is  far  better,'  Phil.  i.  23.  And  this  has  sweetly 
swallowed  up  the  sensations  of  bodily  pain.  Indeed, 
without  this,  immortality  would  be  an  object  of  ter- 
ror, and  not  of  hope:  the  prospect  would  be  insup- 
portably  dreadful.  For  who  can  bear  the  thought 
of  an  immortal  duration  spent  in  an  eternal  banish- 
ment from  God  and  all  happiness,  and  in  the  suffer- 
ance of  the  most  exquisite  pain?  But  a  happy  im- 
mortality, wdiat  can  charm  us  more? 

Christ  Precious  in  His  Instructions. 

AS  a  prophet,  how  sweet  are  His  instructions  to 
a  bewildered  soul!  How  precious  the  words 
of  His  lips,  which  are  the  words  of  eternal  life!  How 
delightful  to  sit  and  hear  Him  teach  the  way  of  duty 


454  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  happiness,  revealing  the  Father,  and  the  wonders 
of  the  invisible  state!  How  transporting  to  hear 
Him  declare  upon  what  terms  an  offended  God  may 
be  reconciled!  a  discovery  beyond  the  searches  of  all 
the  sages  and  philosophers  of  the  heathen  world. 
How  reviving  is  it  to  listen  to  His  gracious  promises 
and  invitations;  promises  and  invitations  to  the  poor, 
the  weary,  and  heavy  laden,  the  broken-hearted,  and 
even  to  the  chief  of  sinners!  The  word  of  Christ 
has  been  the  treasure,  the  support  and  joy  of  be- 
lievers in  all  ages.  '  I  have  esteemed  the  words  of 
His  mouth,'  says  Job,  '  more  than  my  necessary  food.' 
Job  xxxiii.  12.  It  is  this  precious  word  the  psalmist 
so  often  and  so  highly  celebrates.  He  celebrates  it  as 
*  more  to  be  desired  than  gold;  yea,  than  much  tine 
gold;  sweeter  also  than  honey  and  the  honey-comb:' 
Psalm  xix.  10.  '  O  how  I  love  Thy  law!'  says  he;  '  it 
is  my  meditation  all  the  day:'  Psalm  cxix.  97.  '  How 
sweet  are  Thy  words  unto  my  taste!  yea,  sweeter  than 
honey  to  my  mouth:'  ver.  103.  'The  law  of  Thy 
mouth  is  better  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver:' 
ver.  72.  '  Behold,  I  have  longed  after  Thy  precepts:' 
ver.  40.  '  Thy  statutes  have  been  my  song  in  the 
house  of  my  pilgrimage:'  ver.  54.  '  In  my  affliction 
Thy  word  hath  quickened  me:'  ver.  50.  '  Unless  Thy 
law  had  been  my  delights,  I  should  then  have 
perished  in  my  affliction:'  ver.  92.  This  is  the  lan- 
guage of  David,  in  honor  of  this  divine  Prophet,  near 
three  thousand  years  ago,  when  Christ  had  not  re- 
vealed the  full  gospel  to  the  world,  but  only  some 
rays  of  it  shone  through  the  veil  of  the  Mosaic  dis- 


SAMUEL    DAVIES.  4:d5 

peiisation.  And  must  not  believers  now,  who  live 
under  the  more  complete  and  clear  instructions  of 
this  great  Prophet,  entertain  the  same  sentiments  of 
Him?  Yes,  to  such  of  you  as  believe,  even  in  this 
age.  He  is  most  precious. 


Eternity. 

^  TpTERNITY!'  We  are  alarmed  at  the  sound! 
1  J  Lost  in  the  prospect!  Eternity  with  respect 
to  God,  is  a  duration  without  l^eginning  as  well  as 
without  end!  Eternity,  as  it  is  -the  attribute  of 
human  nature,  is  a  duration  that  had  a  beginning  but 
shall  never  have  an  end.  This  is  inalienal^ly  entailed 
upon  us  poor  dying  worms:  and  let  us  survey  our 
inheritance.  Eternity!  it  is  a  dviration  that  excludes 
all  number  and  computation;  days  and  months,  and 
years,  yea,  and  ages,  are  lost  in  it,  like  drops  in  the 
ocean.  Millions  of  millions  of  years,  as  many  years 
as  there  are  sands  on  the  sea-shore,  or  particles  of 
dust  in  the  globe  of  the  earth,  and  these  multiplied 
to  the  highest  reach  of  number,  all  these  are  nothing 
to  eternity.  They  do  not  bear  the  least  imaginable 
proportion  to  it;  for  these  will  come  to  an  end,  as 
certain  as  day;  but  eternity  will  never,  never  come  to 
an  end.  It  is  a  line  without  end;  it  is  an  ocean 
without  a  shore.  Alas!  what  shall  I  say  of  it!  It 
is  an  infinite  unknown  something,  that  neither  human 
thought  can  grasp,  nor  human  language  describe. 


JOHN  NEWTON. 
1725-1807. 

Trials. 

OTHING  can  harm  us  that  quick- 
ens our  earnestness  and  frequency 
in  applying  to  a  throne  of  grace;  only 
trust  the  Lord  and  keep  close  to  Him, 
and  all  that  befalls  you  shall  be  for  good. 
Temptations  end  in  victory;  troubles  prove  an  in- 
crease of  consolation;  yea,  our  very  falls  and  fail- 
ings tend  to  increase  our  spiritual  wisdom,  to  give 
us  a  greater  knowledge  of  Satan's  devices,  and 
make  us  more  habitually  upon  our  guard  against 
them.  Happy  case  of  the  believer  in  Jesus!  when 
bitten  by  the  fiery  serpent  he  needs  not  go  far  for  a 
remedy ;  he  has  only  to  look  to  a  bleeding  Saviour, 
and  be  healed. 

Devotion  to  Christ. 

T  SHALL  not  always  live  this  poor  dying  life:  I 
hope  one  day  to  be  all  ear,  all  heart,  all  tongue; 
when  I  shall  see  the  Redeemer  as  He  is,  I  shall  be 
like  Him.  This  will  be  a  heaven  indeed,  to  behold 
His  glory  without  a  veil,  to  rejoice  in  His  love  with- 
out a  cloud,  and  to  sing  His  praises,  without  one 


JOHN   NEWTON.  457 

jarring  or  wandering  note,  for  ever.  In  the  mean 
time,  may  He  enable  us  to  serve  Him  wdth  our  best. 
O  that  every  power,  faculty,  and  talent  were  devoted 
to  Him!  He  deserves  all  we  have,  and  ten  thousand 
times  more  if  we  had  it;  for  He  has  loved  us,  and 
washed  us  from  our  sins  in  His  own  blood.  He  gave 
Himself  for  us.  In  one  sense,  we  are  well  suited  to 
answer  His  purpose;  for  if  we  were  not  vile  and 
worthless,  beyond  expression,  the  exceeding  riches 
of  His  grace  would  not  have  been  so  gloriously  dis- 
played. His  glory  shines  more  in  redeeming  one 
sinner,  than  in  preserving  a  thousand  angels. 


The  Believer  Sate. 

BLESSED  be  God,  we  are  in  safe  hands;  the 
Lord  Himself  is  our  keeper;  nothing  befalls  us 
but  what  is  adjusted  by  His  wisdom  and  love. 
Health  is  His  gift,  and  sickness,  when  sanctified,  is  a 
token  of  love  likcAvise.  Here  we  may  meet  with 
many  things  which  are  not  joyous  but  grievous  to 
the  flesh;  but  He  will,  in  one  way  or  other,  sweeten 
every  bitter  cup,  and  ere  long  He  will  wipe  away  all 
tears  from  our  eyes.  O  that  joy,  that  crown,  that 
glory  which  awaits  the  believer!  Let  us  keep  the 
prize  of  our  high  calling  in  view,  and  press  forward 
in  the  name  of  Jesus  the  Redeemer,  and  He  will  not 
disappoint  our  hopes. 


20 


458  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 


Assurance. 


ASSURANCE  grows  by  repeated  conflicts,  by 
our  repeated  experimental  proof  of  the  Lord's 
power  and  goodness  to  save:  when  we  have  been 
brought  very  low  and  helped,  sorely  wounded  and 
healed,  cast  down  and  raised  again,  have  given  up 
all  hope,  and  been  suddenly  snatched  from  danger, 
placed  in  safety,  and  when  these  things  have  been 
repeated*to  us  and  in  us  a  thousand  times  over,  we 
begin  to  learn  to  trust  simply  to  the  word  and  powder 
of  God,  beyond  and  against  appearances;  and  this 
trust,  when  habitual  and  strong,  bears  the  name  of 
assurance,  for  even  assurance  has  degrees. 

The  Christian  Soldier. 

THE  Lord  has  chosen,  called,  and  armed  us  for 
the  fight;  and  shall  we  wished  to  be  excused? 
Shall  we  not  rather  rejoice  that  we  have  the  honor 
to  appear  in  such  a  cause,  under  such  a  Captain,  such 
a  banner,  and  in  such  company?  A  complete  suit 
of  armor  is  provided,  weapons  not  to  be  resisted, 
and  precious  balm  to  heal  us  if  haply  w^e  receive  a 
wound,  and  precious  ointment  to  revive  us  when  w^e 
are  in  danger  of  fainting.  Further,  we  are  assured 
of  the  victory  beforehand;  and  O  what  a  crown  is 
prepared  for  every  conqueror,  which  Jesus,  the 
righteous  Judge,  the  gracious  Saviour,  shall  place 
upon  every  faithful  head  with  His  own  hand!  Then 
let  us  not  be  weary  and  faint,  for  in  due  season  we 
shall  yeap.     The  time  is  short;  yet  a  little  while,  and 


JOHN    NEWTON.  459 

the  struggle  of  indwelling  sin,  and  the  contradiction 
of  surrounding  sinners,  shall  be  known  no  more. 

May  the  prospect  of  this  blessed  hope  set  before 
us  revive  our  fainting  spirits,  and  make  us  willing 
to  endure  hardships  as  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Here  we  must  often  sow  in  tears,  but  there  we  shall 
reap  in  joy,  and  all  tears  shall  be  wiped  from  our 
eyes  for  ever. 

Happy  State  of  the  Believer. 

HOW  happy  is  the  state  of  a  believer,  to  have  a 
sure  promise  that  all  shall  work  together  for 
good  in  the  end,  and  in  the  mean  time  a  sure  refuge 
where  to  find  present  relief,  support  and  protection! 
How  comfortable  is  it,  when  trouble  is  near,  to  know 
that  the  Lord  is  near  likewise,  and  to  commit  our- 
selves and  all  our  cares  simply  to  Him,  believing 
that  His  eye  is  upon  us  and  His  ear  open  to  our 
prayers.  Under  the  conduct  of  such  a  Shepherd  we 
need  not  fear;  though  we  are  called  to  pass  through 
fire  and  water,  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death.  He  will  be  with  us,  and  will  show  Himself 
mighty  on  our  l^ehalf. 

Intercourse  with  Heaven. 

HOW  little  does  the  w^orld  know  of  that  inter- 
course which  is  carried  on  between  Heaven 
and  earth!  what  petitions  are  daily  presented  and 
what  answers  are  received,  at  the  throne  of  grace! 
O  the  blessed  privilege  of  prayer!  O  the  w^onder- 
ful  love,  care,  attention,  and   power   of  our  great 


460  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Shepherd !  His  eye  is  alwiiys  iipou  us;  when  our 
spirits  are  ahiiost  overwhelmed  within  us,  He  know- 
eth  our  path.  His  ear  is  always  open  to  us;  let  who 
will  overlook  and  disappoint  us,  He  will  not.  When 
means  and  hope  fail,  when  everything  looks  dark 
upon  us,  when  we  seem  shut  up  on  every  side,  when 
we  are  brought  to  the  lowest  ebb,  still  our  help  is 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  who  made  heaven  and  earth. 
To  Him  all  things  are  possible;  and  before  the  exer- 
tion of  His  power,  when  He  is  pleased  to  arise  and 
work,  all  hinderances  give  way,  and  vanish  like  a 
mist  before  the  sun.  And  He  can  so  manifest  Him- 
self to  the  soul,  and  cause  His  goodness  to  pass  be- 
fore it,  that  the  hour  of  affliction  shall  be  the  golden 
hour  of  the  greatest  consolation.  He  is  the  fountain 
of  life,  strength,  grace,  and  comfort,  and  of  His  ful- 
ness His  children  receive  according  to  their  occasions: 
but  tliis  is  all  hidden  from  the  Avorld;  they  have  no 
guide  in  prosperity,  but  hurry  on  as  they  are  insti- 
gated by  their  blinded  passions,  and  are  perpetually 
multiplying  mischiefs  and  miseries  to  themselves; 
and  in  adversity  they  have  no  resource,  but  must  feel 
all  the  evil  of  affliction,  without  inward  support  and 
without  deriving  any  advantage  from  it.  We  have, 
therefore,  cause  for  continual  praise.  The  Lord  has 
given  us  to  know  His  name,  as  a  resting  place  and 
a  hiding  place,  a  sun  and  a  shield.  Circumstances 
and  creatures  may  change;  but  He  will  be  an  un- 
changeable friend.  The  way  is  rough,  but  He  trod 
it  before  us,  and  is  now  with  us  in  every  step  we 
take;  and  every  step  brings  us  nearer  to  our  hea- 


JOHN    NEWTOX.  461 

venly  home.  Our  inheritance  is  surely  reserved  for 
us,  and  we  shall  be  kept  for  it  by  His  power  through 
faith.  Our  present  strength  is  small,  and,  without 
a  fresh  supply,  would  be  quickly  exhausted;  but  He 
has  engaged  to  renew  it  from  day  to  day;  and  He 
Avill  soon  appear  to  wipe  all  tears  from  our  eyes; 
and  then  we  shall  appear  with  Him  in  glory. 

Prayer  and  Reading  the  Scriptures. 

SECRET  prayer  and  the  good  Word,  are  the  chief 
wells  from  whence  Ave  draw  the  water  of  salva- 
tion. These  will  keep  the  soul  alive  when  creature- 
streams  are  cut  off;  but  the  richest  variety  of  public 
means  and  the  closest  attendance  upon  them  will  leave 
us  lean  and  pining  in  the  midst  of  plenty,  if  we  are 
remiss  and  formal  in  the  other  two.  I  think  David 
never  appears  in.  a  more  lively  frame  of  mind  than 
when  he  wrote  the  42 d,  63d  and  84th  psalms,  which 
were  all  penned  in  a  dry  land,  and  at  a  distance  from 
the  public  ordinances. 

Faith's  View  of  Christ  Crucified. 

OIF  we  could  always  behold  Him  by  faith  as 
evidently  crucified  before  our  eyes,  how  would 
it  compose  our  spirits  as  to  all  the  sweets  and  bit- 
ters of  this  poor  life!  What  a  barrier  would  it 
prove  against  all  the  snares  and  temptations  whereby 
Satan  would  draw  us  into  evil;  and  what  firm  ground 
of  confidence  would  it  afford  us  amidst  the  conflicts 
we  sustain  from  the  workings  of  unbelief  and  in- 
dwelling sin!  I  long  for  more  of  that  faith  which  is 


4,()2  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  and  the  evidence 
of  things  not  seen,  that  I  may  be  preserved  humble, 
thankful,  watchful,  and  dependent.  To  behold  the 
glory  and  the  love  of  Jesus,  is  the  only  effectual  way 
to  participate  of  His  image. 


The  Sabbath  an  Earnest  of  Heaven. 

THE  Sabbath  is  a  blessed  day  indeed,  an  earnest 
of  heaven.  There  they  keep  an  everlasting 
Sabbath,  and  cease  not  night  or  day  admiring  the 
riches  of  redeeming  love,  and  adoring  Him  who 
washed  His  people  from  their  sins  in  His  own  blood. 
To  have  such  imperfect  communion  with  them  as  is 
in  this  state  attainable  in  this  pleasing  exercise  is 
what  alone  can  make  life  worth  the  name.  For  this 
I  sigh  and  long  and  cry  to  the  Lord  to  rend  the  veil 
of  unbelief,  scatter  the  clouds  of  ignorance,  and 
break  down  the  walls  which  sin  is  daily  building  up 
to  hide  Him  from  my  eyes.  I  hope  I  can  say,  my 
soul  is  athirst  for  God,  and  nothing  less  than  the 
light  of  His  countenance  can  satisfy  me.  Blessed  be 
His  name  for  the  desire;  it  is  His  own  gift,  and  He 
never  gives  it  in  vain.  He  will  aflford  us  a  taste  of 
the  water  of  life  by  the  way;  and  ere  long  we  shall 
drink  abundantly  at  the  fountain  head,  and  have  done 
with  complaint  for  ever.  May  we  be  thankful  for 
what  we  receive,  and  still  earnestly  desirous  of  more. 


JOHN  np:wtox.         •  463 

Divine  Guidance. 

/  E  see  a  highway  through  the  wilderness,  a 
powerful  guard,  an  infallible  Guide  at  hand 
to  conduct  us  through;  and  we  can  discern,  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  wilderness,  a  better  land,  where  we 
shall  be  at  rest  and  at  home.  What  will  the  diffi- 
culties we  meet  by  the  way  then  signify?  The  re- 
membrance of  them  will  only  remain  to  heighten  our 
sense  of  the  love,  care,  and  power  of  our  Saviour  and 
Leader.  O  how  shall  we  then  admire,  adore,  and 
praise  Him,  when  He  shall  condescend  to  unfold  to 
us  the  beauty,  propriety,  and  harmony  of  the  whole 
train  of  His  dispensations  towards  us,  and  give  us  a 
clear  retrospect  of  all  the  way,  and  all  the  turns  of 
our  pilgrimage! 

Blessed  Fruits  of  Affliction. 

BY  affliction  prayer  is  quickened,  for  our  prayers 
are  very  apt  to  grow  languid  and  formal  in  a 
time  of  ease.  Affliction  greatly  helps  us  to  under- 
stand the  Scriptures,  especially  the  promises,  most 
of  which  being  made  to  times  of  trouble,  we  cannot 
so  well  know  their  fulness,  sweetness,  and  certainty, 
as  when  we  have  been  in  the  situation  to  which  they 
are  suited,  have  been  enabled  to  trust  and  plead 
them,  and  found  them  fulfilled  in  our  own  case.  We 
are  usually  indebted  to  affliction  as  the  means  or 
occasion  of  the  most  signal  discoveries  we  are  favored 
with  of  the  wisdom,  j)Ower,  and  faithfulness  of  the 
Lord. 
.Afflictions   are   dcsia'ned  likewise   for  the   mani- 


464         -DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

festation  of  our  sincerity  to  ourselves  and  to  others. 
When  faith  endures  the  fire,  we  know  it  to  be  of 
the  right  kind;  and  others,  who  see  we  are  brought 
safe  out,  and  lose  nothing  but  the  dross,  will  con- 
fess that  God  is  with  us  of  a  truth,  Dan.  iii.  27,  28. 
Surely  this  thought  should  reconcile  us  to  suffer, 
not  only  with  patience,  but  with  cheerfulness,  if 
God  may  be  glorified  in  us.  This  made  the  apostle 
rejoice  in  tribulation,  that  the  power  of  Christ  might 
be  noticed,  as  resting  upon  Him,  and  working  might- 
ily in  Him.  Many  of  our  graces,  likewise,  cannot 
thrive  or  show  themselves  to  advantasfe  without 
trials,  such  as  resignation,  patience,  meekness,  long- 
suffering. 


THOMAS  SCOTT,  D.  D. 
1747-1821. 

Morning  Peayees  for  a  Family.    I. 

[o>^  MOST  glorious  and  gracious  God, 
whose  kind  providence  lias  protected  us 
througli  the  night,  and  brought  us  in 
peace  to  meet  together  this  morning; 
assist  us,  we  earnestly  beseech  Thee,  to 
present  our  unfeigned  praises  and  thanksgivings, 
and  to  unite  in  fervent  prayer  and  supplication  be- 
fore Thy  mercy-seat. 

But  who  are  we,  O  thou  high  and  lofty  One,  who 
inhabitest  eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy,  that  we 
should  venture  into  Thy  awful  presence  ?  Even  the 
seraphim  veil  their  faces  in  deep  humility,  when  they 
present  their  adorations  before  Thy  throne — And  avo 
are  not  only  immensely  beneath  them  in  our  nature; 
but  alas,  Ave  haAX  been  guilty  of  base  ingratitude  for 
Thy  bounties,  and  of  multiplied  acts  of  rebellion 
against  Thee,  our  Creator  and  Sovereign.  '  We  have 
forsaken  Thee,  the  Fountain  of  living  Avaters,'  to  seek 
happiness  from  the  broken  cisterns  of  earthly  enjoy- 
ments and  possessions  !  We  have  proudly  rejected 
Thy  easy  yoke,  and  become  slaves  to  divers  lusts  and 

pleasures  !     We  have  refused  Thee  that  reasonable 

20" 


466  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

tribute  of  worship  and  love,  wliicli  it  would  have 
been  our  privilege  to  render;  We  have  broken  Thy 
commandments  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  and  have 
abused  Thy  gifts  to  the  dishonor  of  Thy  name. 

Thus  we  would  with  shame  confess,  we  are  fallen 
under  condemnation  and  into  bondage,  from  which 
we  cannot  deliver  our  own  souls:  and  w^e  may  well 
be  confounded,  when  we  would  lift  up  our  hearts 
unto  Thee.  'If  Thou,  Lord,  shouldest  mark  iniqui- 
ty, O  Lord,  who  can  stand?  But  there  is  forgive- 
ness with  Thee,'  and  plenteous  redemption  in  Thy 
beloved  Son.  Through  His  atoning  sacrifice,  and 
prevailing  intercession,  we  would  approach  Thy 
throne  of  grace;  and  while  we  smite  on  our  breasts 
and  say,  '  God  be  merciful  to  us,  vile  sinners !'  we 
would  unite  our  penitent  confessions  with  lively  faith 
and  hope,  and  bless  Thee  for  these  unspeakable  bene- 
fits. Oh  give  us  true  repentance  and  living  faith; 
convince  us  more  deeply  of  our  sinfulness;  and  dis- 
cover to  us  every  thing  in  our  hearts  and  lives,  which 
displeases  Thee :  that  we  may  approach  Thee  in  gen- 
uine poverty  of  spirit,  and  with  sincere  and  fervent 
lono^inors  after  those  blessino^s  which  we  ask  with  our 
lips.  Enlighten  our  understandings,  that  we  may 
more  clearly  perceive  the  nature  and  glory  of  Thy 
gospel:  and  more  fully  'know  Thee,  the  only  true 
God  and  Jesus  Christ  Avhom  Thou  hast  sent.'  Tcyich 
us  to  count  all  thino^s  but  loss,  that  we  may  win 
Christ,  and  partake  of  His  salvation.  May  Thy  holy 
Word,  which  we  daily  stud}?-,  be  treasured  up  in  our 
memories,  written  in  our  hearts,  and  made  legible  in 


TIIOaiAS    SCOTT.  467 

our  tempers  and  conduct.  Oh,  do  Thou  rectify  our 
mistakes,  deliver  us  from  prejudices,  'make  us  to  be 
of  good  understanding  in  the  way  of  Godliness,' 
and  '  uphold  our  goings  in  Thy  ways,  that  our  foot- 
steps slip  not.'  We  beseech  Thee,  O  Thou  God  of 
peace,  that  by  fiiith  in  the  blood  of  Thy  beloved  Son, 
we  may  enjoy  the  comfort  of  Thy  reconciling  grace, 
and  sweet  tranquillity  in  our  hearts  and  consciences; 
and  may  our  hope  of  forgiveness  from  Thee  render 
us  ready  to  forgive  others,  and  form  our  dispositions 
to  gentleness  and  love.  Glorying  in  the  Cross  of 
Christ,  may  we  be  crucified  to  the  world,  and  the 
world  to  us.  May  we  be  clothed  with  humility, 
walk  before  Thee  Avith  vigilance  and  circumspection, 
and  serve  Thee  in  the  spirit  of  adoption.  Enable  us, 
we  beseech  Thee,  for  Thy  sake,  to  '  do  unto  all  men, 
as  we  would  they  should  do  unto  us,'  to  live  in 
peace  one  with  another,  and  while  we  have  time,  to 
do  '  good  unto  all  men,  but  especially  to  them  that  are 
of  the  household  of  ftiith.'  May  Thy  saving  grace 
'  teach  us  to  deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts, 
and  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this 
present  world:'  may  we  be  content  with  such  things 
a?  we  have;  accommodate  ourselves  to  the  station 
allotted  us;  conscientiously  attend  to  our  proper 
duties;  and  watch  against  covetousness,  anger,  envy, 
and  all  other  sinful  passions.  Oh,  may  we  be  indeed 
the  followers  of  the  lowly  Jesus:  may  we  walk  as 
He  walked;  act  in  wisdom  towards  all  around  us; 
and  improve  our  several  talents  to  the  glory  of  Thy 


468  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

great  iiaiiie :  and  thus  may  we  '  Avait  for  the  mercy 
of  om*  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life,' 

Hear,  we  beseech  Thee,  these  our  prayers  and 
supplications:  be  with  us  in  all  the  employments 
and  companies  in  which  we  may  this  day  be  engaged: 
may  we  act  in  them,  as  under  Thine  eye,  and  as  it 
becomes  Thy  redeemed  people:  and  may  we  be 
habitually  prepared  for  death  and  judgment.  These 
and  all  mercies  we,  unworthy  sinners,  humbly  im- 
plore, for  the  sake,  and  through  the  merits  and  me- 
diation of  Thy  Son,  Jesus  Christ;  to  whom,  with 
Thee,  O  Father,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  would 
ascribe  co-equal  and  eternal  praise  and  adoration. 
Amen. 

n: 

ALMIGHTY  and  everlasting  God,  we  Thy  un- 
,  worthy  creatures  desire  to  bless  and  thank 
Thee,  for  Thy  gracious  protection,  and  the  refresh- 
ment of  sleep  during  the  past  night;  and  the  renewed 
gift  of  life  and  a  measure  of  health  this  morning. 
We  would  gratefully  acknowledge  likewise  tlie  con- 
veniences of  our  dwelling  and  temporal  provision; 
the  comfort  of  kind  friends  and  domestic  peace,  and 
all  the  security  and  tranquillity  which  we  enjoy  in 
this  favored  country.  We  confess,  O  Lord,  that  we 
are  unworthy  of  the  least  of  these  Thy  mercies:  and 
we  beseech  Thee,  enable  us  to  show  our  unfeigned 
gratitude,  by  alacrity  in  every  part  of  Thy  service, 
and  a  proper  use  of  all  Thy  benefits. 

But  we  are  bound  especially  to  bless  and  praise 


THOMAS    SCOTT.  469 

Thy  holy  name,  O  most  gracious  Father,  for  the 
salvation  provided  for  iis  in  Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.  Without  this  inestimable  benefit,  no 
temporal  peace  or  prosperity  could  have  eventually 
profited  us.  By  Thy  righteous  sentence  we  are 
doomed  to  die.  Our  present  joys  and  sorrows,  cares 
and  pursuits,  must  soon  vanish  like  the  dreams  of 
the  past  night;  we  shall  shortly  open  our  eyes  amidst 
the  important  realities  of  the  eternal  world.  And, 
Oh!  if  Thou  shouldest,  in  that  unchanging  state,  deal 
with  us  in  strict  justice  according  to  our  deserts,  we 
could  no  more  avoid  final  condemnation  than  we  can 
escape  the  stroke  of  death. 

But,  blessed  be  Thy  name,  O  Lord,  our  reprieves 
from  the  grave  may  now  be  improved  as  opportuni- 
ties of  seeking  deliverance  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
and  of  securing  an  incorruptible  and  eternal  inheri- 
tance. Enable  us,  therefore,  we  humbly  pray  Thee, 
to  regard  with  solemn  attention  Thy  message  of 
reconciliation,  through  the  mediation  of  Christ,  and 
by  faith  in  His  atoning  blood.  Enlighten  our  minds 
to  a  clear  perception  of  the  nature,  glory,  and  ines- 
timable value  of  Thy  great  salvation;  and  fill  us 
with  an  admiring  sense  of  Thy  condescending  and 
compassionate  love  to  lost  sinners,  in  this  stupendous 
method  of  showing  them  mercy,  and  giving  them 
eternal  felicity.  Here  may  we  see  the  harmonious 
display  of  Thy  justice  and  grace.  Thy  holy  abhor- 
rence of  iniquity,  and  Thy  tender  love  to  condemned 
transgressors.  Help  us,  we  humljly  beseech  Thee, 
to  discover,  in  some  measure,  that  manifold  wisdom, 


470  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  all  those  glories,  which  fill  the  angelic  hosts  with 
admiring  love,  that  we  may  learn  on  earth  the  wor- 
ship of  heaven,  and  here  lisp  our  feeble  praises  'to 
Him  who  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in 
His  own  blood.'  Oh,  enable  us  to  give  such  dili- 
gence in  makino^  our  callino^  and  election  sure,  that 
we  may  always  be  confident;  knowing  that  when  we 
shall  be  absent  from  the  body,  we  shall  be  present 
with  Thee  in  glory.  And  if  any  of  us  have  hitherto 
neglected  the  one  thing  needful,  resting  in  a  form  of 
godliness,  or  in  any  way  deceiving  ourselves;  may 
we  be  stirred  up  without  delay  to  seek  first  Th}^ 
kingdom  and  Thy  righteousness,  and  to  subordinate 
all  other  pursuits  to  this  grand  concern. 

Teach  every  one  of  us,  O  merciful  God,  to  serve 
Thee  in  our  difierent  employments;  doing  all  in  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  using  our  pos- 
sessions, or  improving  our  talents,  as  those  who  duly 
consider  hoAv  soon  it  may  be  said,  '  Give  an  account 
of  thy  stewardship,  for  thou  ma^^est  no  longer  be 
steward.'  Enable  us,  we  entreat  Thee,  so  to  act  at 
all  times  and  in  all  things,  that  we  may  joyfully  an- 
ticipate the  summons,  and  humbly  hope  to  be  receiv- 
ed by  the  Saviour  with  that  w^elcome,  *  Well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord.'  Grant  us,  O  thou  Fountain  of  Life,  such 
consolations  in  communion  with  Thee,  as  may  render 
us  superior  to  the  frowns  and  smiles  of  the  world, 
and  fix  our  affections  on  things  above. 

Teach  us  also  to  profit  by  all  Thy  rebukes  and 
chastisements;  that  every  painful  feeling  may  serve 


THOMAS    SCOTT.  471 

to  humble  us,  to  wean  us  from  earthly  things,  to 
embitter  sin,  to  endear  the  love  of  our  sufterino-  Re- 
deemer,  to  soften  our  hearts  into  compassion  towards 
the  afflicted,  and  to  bow  our  wills  into  submission  to 
Thine  appointments.  And  as  Thou,  O  glorious  Lord 
of  all,  art  pleased  to  permit  us  to  call  Thee  our 
Heavenly  Father,  grant,  we  entreat  Thee,  that  the 
lively  exercise  of  all  filial  afiections,  by  the  sacred 
influences  of  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  may  fully  testify 
that  we  are  indeed  the  children  and  heirs  of  God. 
Oh,  let  it  be  the  ardent  desire  of  our  inmost  souls, 
that  Thy  name  should  be  hallowed,  Thy  kingdom 
established,  and  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is 
by  all  the  inhabitants  of  heaven. 

Enable  us  now,  we  beseech  Thee,  to  enter  on  our 
several  employments,  in  submission  and  obedience 
to  Thy  will,  and  dependence  on  Thy  grace.  May 
we  be  preserved  from  the  snares  of  the  world,  and 
defended  against  the  assaults  of  Satan:  may  we 
watch  over  our  hearts,  govern  our  passions,  and 
bridle  our  tongues,  as  under  the  inspection  of  Thine 
all-seeing  eye;  and  be  helped  in  all  things  to  glorif^^ 
Thy  name,  through  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  beloved  Son, 
and  our  Mediator  and  Eedeemer.     Amen. 

A  Family  Prayer  for  Saturday  Evening. 

OTHOU  eternal  God,  in  whom  we  live,  and 
move,  and  have  our  being,  enable  us,  we 
beseech  Thee,  to  close  this  week  in  that  manner 
Avhich  shall  be  most  profitable  to  ourselves  and  most 
honorable  to  Thy  name. 


472  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

We  have  no  occasion,  O  most  righteous  and  holy 
God,  to  review  the  years  which  are  past,  in  order  to 
find  cause  of  humiliation  in  Thy  sight:  every  day 
and  every  week  suggest  abundant  matter  for  painful 
reflections,  and  add  to  our  conviction,  that  '  we  are 
all  as  an  unclean  thing,  and  all  our  righteousnesses 
as  filthy  rags.'     O  Lord,  if  Thou  shouldest  mark 
iniquity,  who  could  stand  ?     Enable  us,  therefore,  to 
confess  our  sins  with  ingenuous  and  unreserved  sor- 
row and  shame;  to  own  that  they  are  more  in  num- 
ber than  the  hairs  of  our  head,  and  a  sore  burden, 
too  heavy  for  us  to  bear;  and  to  present  ourselves, 
in  deep  contrition  at  Thy  throne  of  grace,  in  humble 
faith  and  reverent  boldness,  through  our  great  and 
compassionate    High   Priest,    that   we   may   obtain 
mercy  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need.     Do 
Thou  apply  the  atoning  blood  to  our  consciences  this 
evening,  to  purge  aAvay  the  guilt  of  the  past  week; 
that  we  may  go  to  rest  in  peace,  and  not  carry  the 
guilt  of  any  unrepented,  unpardoned  sin,  into  the 
ensuing  week,  to  mar  our  comfort,  or  blast  our  en- 
deavors to  glorify  Thy  name.     O  Thou  Author  and 
Finisher  of  faith,  help  us  against  all  the  incursions 
of  unbelief:  leave  us  not  to  a  dead  faith  and  pre- 
sumptuous hope;  and  let  us  not  be  discouraged  by 
needless  fears  and  scruples.     Grant  us  peace  and  joy 
in  believing;  and  let  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad 
in  our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  assure  us  that  our 
hope  shall  never  cause  us  to  be  ashamed. 

While  we  would  thus  seek  forgiveness  of  all  that  is 
past,  through  the  blood  of  sprinkling,  enable  us  also 


THOMAS    SCOTT.  473 

to  return  Thee  our  unfeigned  tlianks  for  the  mercies 
of  the  past  week,  and  of  our  whole  lives. 

Another  week  hath  now  been  added  to  the  season 
of  Thy  long-suffering;  and  to  our  season  of  prepa- 
ration for  eternity !  through  another  week  we  have 
obtained  help  of  God,  and  been  in  some  measure 
enabled  to  cleave  to  Thee !  Accept  our  cordial 
thanks  and  praises  for  all  Thine  unnumbered  mer- 
cies, and  grant  that  our  future  lives  may  evince  our 
sincerity. 

Bless  to  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  the  means  of  grace 
we  have  this  week  enjoyed:  and  grant  that,  through 
Thine  assistance,  we  may  remember  and  be  edified 
by  all  we  have  read  or  heard  from  Thy  holy  Word. 
Sanctify  also  to  us  the  dispensations  of  Thy  provi- 
dence: teach  us  to  profit  by  all  Thy  chastisements; 
and  to  learn  gratitude  and  confidence  in  Thee,  by  all 
Thy  mercies:  and  may  even  the  experience  we  have 
of  our  own  weakness  and  folly,  excite  us  to  more 
fervent  pra^^ers  for  wisdom,  sti^ngth,  and  grace,  ac- 
cording to  Thy  precious  promises. 

And  now,0  merciful  God,  we  beseech  Thee  to  pre- 
pare our  hearts  for  the  approaching  day  of  sacred 
rest:  and  teach  us  so  to  arrange  all  our  temporal  con- 
cerns that  our  thoughts  may  not  be  occupied,  our  at- 
tention distracted,  nor  our  minds  rufiicd  by  them, 
when  we  would  wait  on  Thee  in  Thy  holy  services. 
Let  us  not  deem  Thy  sabbaths  a  weariness;  but  our 
delight,  our  privilege,  and  great  advantage.  May  the 
care  of  our  own  souls,  and  of  the  souls  of  those  who 
belong  to  us,  sweetly  occupy  the  hours  of  the  day. 


474  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

By  self-examination  and  meditation  on  Thy  Word,  may 
we  obtain  increasing  acquaintance  with  ourselves, 
our  spiritual  estate,  the  progress  we  have  made,  or 
the  loss  we  have  sustained,  in  this  important  concern. 
Enable  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  to  humble  ourselves  be- 
fore Thee  in  true  repentance,  and  cordially  to  renew 
our  acceptance  of  Thy  salvation;  and  while  we  wait 
on  Thee,  may  our  strength  be  repaired;  may  every 
grace  be  brought  into  vigorous  exercise;  and  our 
knowledge  of  Thy  truth  and  will  in  all  respects  en- 
larged. Assist  us  in  Thy  public  worship,  and  fiivor 
us  with  Thy  special  presence  and  blessing.  May  Thy 
people,  with  whom  we  worship,  be  refreshed,  com- 
forted, and  sanctified  in  Thy  courts;  and  grant  Thy 
special  assistance  and  blessing  to  Thy  ministers  in 
their  work  and  labor  of  love.  Oh  that  increasing 
numbers  may  be  added  to  Thy  churches,  of  such  as 
shall  be  saved;  and  many  able  and  faithful  laborers 
sent  forth  into  the  harvest;  and  may  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness  diffuse  His  healing  influence,  wherever 
the  sun  in  the  firmament  enlightens  the  nations  with 
his  beams.  Hear  us,  O  merciful  Father,  in  these  our 
supplications;  take  us  under  Tiiy  protection  this 
night;  fit  us,  both  in  body  and  soul,  for  the  duties 
of  the  ensuing  day,  and  by  them  prepare  us  for  Thy 
eternal  Sabbath,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  Thy 
Son  our  Lord,  to  whom,  with  Thee  and  the  Holy 
Spirit,  One  God  in  three  persons,  even  the  God  of 
our  salvation,  be  glory  and  honor  from  all  creatures, 
now  and  for  evermore.     Amen. 


JOHN  LOGAN,  F.  R.  S. 

1748-1788. 
The  Message  which  Jesus  Beings. 

HE  message  Avliich  he  brouglit,  was  life 
and  immortality.      From  the  Star  of 


Jacob,  light  shone  even  upon  the  shades 
of  death.  As  a  proof  of  immortality,  He 
called  back  the  departed  spirit  from  the 
world  unknown;  as  an  earnest  of  the  resurrection 
to  a  future  life.  He  Himself  arose  from  the  dead. 
When  we  contemplate  the  tomb  of  nature,  we  cry 
out  'Can  these  dry  bones  live?'  When  we  con- 
template the  tomb  of  Jesus,  we  say,  'Yes,  they 
can  live!'  As  He  arose,  we  shall  in  like  manner 
arise.  In  the  tomb  of  nature,  you  see  man  return 
to  the  dust  from  whence  he  was  taken ;  in  the 
tomb  of  Jesus  you  see  man  restored  to  life  again. 
In  the  tomb  of  nature  you  see  the  shades  of  death 
fall  on  the  weary  traveller,  and  the  darkness  of  the 
long  night  close  over  his  head ;  in  the  tomb  of  Jesus, 
you  see  light  arise  upon  the  shades  of  death,  and 
the  morning  dawn  upon  the  long  night  of  the  grave. 
On  the  tomb  of  nature,  it  is  written,  'Behold  thy 
end,  O  man!  Dust  thou  art,  and  uuto  dust  thou 
shalt  return.      Thou,  who  now  callest  thyself  the 


476  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

son  of  heaven,  shall  become  one  of  the  clods  of  the 
valley;'  on  the  tomb  of  Christ  is  written,  'Thou 
diest,  O  man,  but  to  live  again.  When  dust  returns 
to  dust,  the  spirit  shall  return  to  God  who  gave  it. 
I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life;  he  that  belie veth 
in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live.'  From 
the  tomb  of  nature,  you  hear  a  voice,  '  Forever  silent 
is  the  land  of  forgetfulness  !  From  the  slumbers  of 
the  o^rave  shall  we  awake  no  more!  Like  the  flowers 
of  the  field,  shall  we  be  as  though  we  had  never 
been !'  from  the  tomb  of  Jesus,  you  hear,  '  Blessed 
are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord,  thus  saith  the 
Spirit,  for  they  rest  from  their  labors,  and  pass  into 
glory.  Li  my  Father's  house  there  are  many  man- 
sions; if  it  were  not  so,  I  would  have  told  you.  I 
go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you,  and  if  I  go  awa}^,  I 
will  come  again,  and  take  you  unto  myself,  that 
where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also.' 

Will  not  this  assurance  of  a  happy  immortality 
and  a  blessed  resurrection,  in  a  great  measure,  remove 
the  terror  and  the  sting  of  death?  May  we  not  walk 
without  dismay  through  the  dark  valley, -.when  we 
are  conducted  by  a  beam  from  heaven?  May  we 
not  endure  the  tossings  of  one  stormy  night,  when 
it  carries  us  to  the  shore  that  we  long  for?  What 
cause  have  we  to  dread  the  messenger  who  brings  us 
to  our  Father's  house?  Should  not  our  fears  about 
futurity  abate,  when  we  hear  God  addressing  us  with 
respect  to  death,  as  He  did  the  patriarch  of  old,  upon 
going  to  Egypt,  '  Fear  not  to  go  down  to  the  grave; 


JOHN    LOGAN.  477 

I  will  go  down  with  tliee,  and  will  bring  thee  up 
again?' 

The  Christian's  Victory  over  Death. 

THIS,  O  Christian !  the  death  of  thy  Redeemer, 
is  thy  strong  consolation;  thy  effectual  remedy 
ao^ainst  the  fear  of  death.  What  evil  can  come  nioh 
to  him  for  whom  Jesus  died?  Does  the  law  wliich 
thou  hast  broken,  denounce  vengeance  against  thee? 
Behold  that  law  fulfilled  in  the  meritorious  life  of 
thy  Redeemer.  Does  the  sentence  of  wrath  pro- 
nounced against  the  posterity  of  Adam  sound  in 
thine  ears?  Behold  that  sentence  blotted  out,  that 
liandiDriting ^  as  the  apostle  calls  it,  cancelled,  nailed 
to  thy  Saviour's  cross,  and  left  there  as  a  trophy  of 
His  victory.  Art  thou  afraid  that  the  cry  of  thy 
offences  may  rise  to  heaven,  and  reach  the  ears  of 
justice?  .  There  is  no  place  for  it  there;  in  room  of 
it  ascends  the  voice  of  that  blood  which  speaketh 
better  things  than  the  blood  of  Abel.  Does  the 
enemy  of  mankind  accuse  thee  at  the  judgment-seat? 
He  is  put  to  silence  by  thy  Advocate  and  Intercessor 
'  at  the  right  hand  of  tliy  Father.  Does  death  appear 
to  thee  in  a  form  of  terror,  and  hold  out  his  sting 
to  alarm  thy  mind?  His  terror  is  removed,  and  his 
sting  was  pulled  out  by  that  hand,  which,  on  Mount 
Calvary,  was  fixed  to  the  accursed  tree. 

Well  then  may  ye  join  in  the  triumphant  song  of 
the  apostle,  '  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting?  O  grave, 
where  is  thy  victory?' 

Jesus  Christ  gives  u«  victory  over  death,  by  yield- 


478  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

iiio*  US  consolation  and  relief  under  the  fears  that 
arise  in  the  mind  upon  the  awful  transition  from  this 
world  to  the  next.  Who  ever  left  the  precincts  of 
mortality  w^ithout  casting  a  wishful  look  on  what  he 
left  behind,*  and  a  trembling  eye  on  the  scene  that  is 
before  him?  Being  formed  by  our  Creator  for  en- 
joyments even  in  this  life,  we  are  endowed  w^ith  a 
sensibility  to  the  objects  around  us.  We  have  affec- 
tions, and  we  delight  to  indulge  them:  we  have 
hearts,  and  we  want  to  bestoAv  them.  Bad  as  the 
world  is,  we  find  in  it  objects  of  affection  and  attach- 
ment. Even  in  this  waste  and  howling  wilderness, 
there  are  spots  of  verdure  and  of  beauty,  of  power 
to  charm  the  mind  and  make  us  cry  out,  '  It  is  good 
for  us  to  be  here.'  When,  after  the  observation  and 
experience  of  years,  we  have  found  out  the  objects 
of  the  soul,  and  met  with  minds  congenial  to  our 
own,  what  pangs  must  it  give  to  the  heart  to  think 
of  parting  forever?  We  even  contract  an  attachment 
to  inanimate  objects.  The  tree  under  whose  shadow 
we  have  often  sat;  the  fields  where  we  have  fre- 
quently strayed;  the  hill,  the  scene  of  contemplation, 
or  the  haunt  of  friendship,  become  objects  of  passion* 
to  the  mind,  and  upon  our  leaving  them,  excite  a 
temporary  sorrow  and  regret.     If  these  things  can 

*  This  sentiment  is  evidently  borrowed  from  these  inimitable 
lines  of  Gray : — 

For  who.  to  dumb  forgetfulness  a  prey, 
This  pleasing,  anxious  being  e'er  resigned ; 

Left  the  warm  precinct's  of  the  cheerful  day, 
Nor  cast  one  longing,  lingering  look  behind. 


JOHN    LOGAN.  479 

affect  us  with  uneasiness,  how  great  must  be  the 
affliction,  when  stretched  on  that  bed  from  which  we 
shall  rise  no  more,  and  looking  about  for  the  last 
time  on  the  sad  circle  of  our  weeping  friends  !  How 
great  must  be  the  affliction,  to  dissolve  at  once  all 
the  attachments  of  life;  to  bid  an  eternal  adieu  to 
the  friends  whom  we  long  have  loved,  and  to  part 
forever  with  all  that  is  dear  below  the  sun  !  But  let 
not  the  Christian  be  disconsolate.  He  parts  with  the 
objects  of  his  affection,  to  meet  them  again;  to  meet 
them  in. a  better  world,  where  change  never  enters, 
and  from  whose  blissful  mansions  sorrow  flies  away. 
At  the  resurrection  of  the  just;  in  the  great  assembly 
of  the  sons  of  God,  when  all  the  family  of  heaven 
are  gathered  together,  not  one  person  shall  be  miss- 
ing that  was  worthy  of  thy  affection  or  esteem.  And 
if  among  imperfect  creatures,  and  in  a  troubled 
world,  the  kind,  the  tender,  and  the  generous  affec- 
tions have  such  power  to  charm  the  heart,  that  even 
the  tears  which  they  occasion  delight  us,  what  joy 
unspeakable  and  glorious  will  they  produce,  when 
they  exist  in  perfect  minds,  and  are  improved  by  the 
purity  of  the  heavens  ! 

Jesus,  thy  Saviour,  has  the  keys  of  death;  the 
abodes  of  the  dead  are  part  of  His  kingdom.  He 
lay  in  the  grave,  and  hallowed  it  for  the  repose  of 
the  just.  Before  our  Lord  ascended  up  on  high,  He 
said  to  His  disciples,  '  I  go  to  my  Father  and  to 
your  Father,  to  my  God  and  to  your  God;'  and 
when  the  time  of  your  departure  is  at  hand,  you  go 


480  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

to  your  Fatliei'  and  His  Father,  to  your  God  and  His 
God. 

Enlightened  by  these  discoveries,  trusting  to  the 
merits  of  his  Redeemer,  and  animated  with  the  hope 
which  is  set  before  him,  the  Christian  will  depart 
with  tranquillity  and  joy.  To  him  the  bed  of  death 
will  not  be  a  scene  of  terror,  nor  the  last  hour  an 
hour  of  despair.  There  is  a  majesty  in  the  death 
of  the  Christian.  He  partakes  of  the  spirit  of  that 
world  to  which  he  is  advancing,  and  he  meets  his 
hitter  end  with  a  face  that  looks  to  the  heavens. 


E 


Passing  Away. 

j^VERY  thing  that  you  behold  around  you  bears 
the  marks  of  mortality  and  the  symptoms  of 
decay.  He  only  who  is,  and  was,  and  is  to  come, 
is  without  any  variableness  or  shadow  of  turning. 
Every  thing  passes  away.  A  great  and  mighty  river, 
for  ages  and  centuries,  has  been  rolling  on,  and 
sweeping  away  all  that  ever  lived,  to  the  vast  abyss 
of  eternity.  On  that  darkness  light  does  not  rise. 
From  that  unknown  country  none  return.  -.  On  that 
devouring  deep,  which  has  swallowed  up  every  thing, 
no  vestige  appears  of  the  things  that  were. 


TIMOTHY  DWIGHT,  D.  D.,  LL.  D. 
1752-1827. 

The  Blessings  to  which  the  Saviour  Inyites  Us. 

HESE  blessings  are  noble,  exquisite, 
and  enduring,  beyond  the  conception 
of  finite  minds.  Tliey  extend  alike  to  the 
soul  and  to  the  body ;  they  fill  time ;  they 
spread  through  eternity.  In  this  world, 
they  are  formed  of  unceasing  protection,  guidance, 
support,  consolation,  holiness,  peace  which  passeth 
all  understanding,  hope  which  is  an  anchor  to 
the  soul  in  the  stormy  sea  of  life  and  joy  which 
the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away.  They 
include  the  best  provision  for  our  wants,  the  best 
conduct  of  our  lives,  and  the  perfect  security  of 
our  well-being.  They  commence  with  our  sancti- 
fication,  they  attend  us  through  life,  they  accom- 
pany us  in  death,  they  follow  us  beyond  the  grave. 
In  the  future  world  they  assume  a  still  brighter 
aspect.  There  our  vile  bodies  will  be  refashioned 
like  unto  Christ's  glorious  body,  according  to  that 
mysterious  working,  whereby  He  is  able  to  subdue 
all  things  unto  Himself.     Adorned  and  invigorated 

21 


482  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

with  youth,  strength,  beauty  and  immortality,  they 
will  be  reunited  to  our  minds,  made  perfectly  holy 
and  excellent.  In  the  highest  heavens,  the  house 
of  God,  we  shall  dwell  in  His  presence,  be  made 
members  and  brethren  of  His  family;  advance  for 
ever  in  knowledge  and  virtue,  in  wisdom  and  loveli- 
ness, in  peace  and  joy;  meet  the  smiles  of  infinite 
complacency;  commence  a  pure  and  perpetual  friend- 
ship with  the  world  of  sanctified  minds;  become  sons, 
and  kings,  and  priests  to  God  the  Father,  and  joint 
heirs  with  the  Redeemer  to  His  immortal  inheritance; 
shall  be  with  Him  where  He  is,  and  shall  behold  and 
receive  the  glory  w^hich  He  had  wath  the  Father  be- 
fore ever  the  world  was.  Are  not  these  blessings 
ffreat  enouo^h  to  fill  the  wishes  even  of  an  immortal 
mind?  Could  an  angel  ask  more?  Can  we  hope 
for  the  one  half  of  these?  Can  we  realize,  can  we 
believe  that  they  will  be  given  to  such  beings  as  we 
are?  Yet  these,  and  far  more  than  human  language 
can  express,  or  human  imaginations  can  conceive,  He 
possessed  from  everlasting,  and  these  He  has  of  His 
own  accord,  unasked,  undesired,  profiered  to  our 
acceptance,  declaring  that  all  things  in  the  universe, 
in  time  and  through  eternity,  shall  w^ork  together 
for  good -to  them  that  love  God. 

Without  an  Interest  in  Christ. 

WITHOUT  the  love,  the  atonement,  and  the  in- 
tercession of  Christ,  how  will  you  disarm 
death  and  triumph  over  the  grave?  Who  will  guide 
your  lonely  and  anxious  steps  through  the  uuknowai 


TIMOTHY    DWIGIIT.  483 

\vorld, — sustain  your  hearts  before  the  last  tribunal, 
acquit  you  of  your  immeasurable  guilt,  and  redeem 
you  from  endless  darkness  and  despair? 

Who  will  conduct  you  to  heaven?  Who  will  pro- 
vide for  you  immortal  good:  support  you  with 
self-approbation  and  peace;  adorn  you  with  beauty 
and  excellency;  inspire  you  with  love;  improve  and 
refine  you  with  wisdom;  instamp  on  you  the  glorious 
image  of  God;  and  bring  you  to  the  general  assem- 
bly of  the  first-born  as  their  eternal  friend  and  com- 
panion? Who  wdll  unlock  for  you  the  springs  of 
life?  Who  will  feed  you  with  living  bread?  Who 
will  clothe  you  with  unfading  robes  of  righteousness? 
Who  will  fix  you  in  mansions  of  everlasting  joy? 
Who,  in  a  word,  will  be  your  light,  your  portion, 
and  your  friend  for  ever. 

The  Love  of  Christ. 

THE  love  of  Christ  is  immeasurably  great.  '  The 
love  of  Christ,'  says  St.  Paul,  '  which  passeth 
knowledge.'  It  is  a  love  which  has  proved  itself  to 
be  stronger  than  death — a  love  which  affliction  could 
not  quench,  which  sorrow  could  not  drown.  This  is 
evident,  with  a  lustre  irresistible,  in  the  things  which 
He  has  done,  which  He  is  doing,  and  which  He  will 
do  hereafter.  It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  recall  on 
this  occasion  the  things  which  Christ  has  already 
done.  I  need  not  exhibit  Him  to  you  on  the  cross, 
pouring  out  His  blood  for  the  salvation  of  men,  nor 
present  Him  agonizing  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane, 
nor  follow  Him  to  the  tomb.     What  must  have  been 


4:84  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

the  intenseness  of  that  benevolence  which  could  bring 
the  Son  of  God  from  the  throne  of  heaven  to  shame 
and  agony,  to  the  cross  and  to  the  grave? 

Less  striking,  I  acknowledge,  but  scarcely  less 
affecting,  are  the  proofs  of  the  same  love  in  what  He 
is  now  doing.  There  is  something  inexpressibly  glo- 
rious to  Him,  and  beyond  measure  interesting  to  us, 
in  beholding  the  Saviour  of  mankind,  who  'has 
ascended  far  above  all  heavens,  that  He  might  fill 
all  things,'  looking  down,  nay  descending  from  this 
stupendous  greatness  to  the  miserable  world  which 
we  inhabit,  to  blot  out  the  transgressions  and  wash 
away  the  stains  of  a  wretched  sinner;  to  renew  a 
polluted  soul;  to  shed  upon  it  peace  passing  all  un- 
derstanding; to  reunite  it  to  the  favor  of  God;  to 
chase  away  its  fears  of  future  woe;  to  pour  the  bal- 
sam of  life  into  its  wounds;  to  illumine  it  with  the 
beams  of  hope;  to  conduct  it  safely  through  the  trials 
and  dangers  of  this  melancholy  pilgrimage;  to  bar 
the  gates  of  perdition  against  its  entrance;  and  to 
open  for  its  reception  the  door  of  endless  life. 

The  Saviour's  Goodness  to  the  Believer. 

HE  will  in  no  wise  cast  you  out.  He  will  never 
leave  you  or  forsake  you.  His  eye,  before 
which  the  night  shineth  as  the  day,  will  watch  over 
you  with  unceasing  care;  and  His  hand,  which  no- 
thing can  resist  or  escape,  guard  you  with  infinite 
tenderness.  In  every  sorrow  He  will  comfort;  in 
every  danger  He  will  deliver.  The  bed  of  death  He 
will  spread  with  down;  the  passage  into  eternity  He 


TIMOTHY    DWIGIIT.  485 

will  illumine  with  the  light  of  His  own  countenance. 
In  the  judgment  He  will  acquit  you  of  all  3^our  guilt; 
and  in  His  own  house,  the  mansion  of  eternal  light, 
and  peace,  and  joy,  he  will  present  you  to  His  Father 
as  trophies  of  His  cross  and  monuments  of  his  bound- 
less love. 

The  Sinner  Invited  to  Return  to  God. 

IS  it  not  then  infinitely  desirable  to  know  that  you 
have  a  home  to  which  you  may  go;  plenty  to 
which  3^ou  may  betake  yourselves;  friends  from  whom 
you  may  derive  kindness  and  consolation;  and  a 
Father  yet  remaining,  who,  though  so  long  forsaken, 
is  still  willing  to  acknowledge  this  relation  to  you? 
In  His  tenderness  you  may  find  an  asylum;  to  His 
arms  you  may  be  welcomed?  in  His  house  you  may 
find  an  everlasting  residence.  There  all  good  things 
abound,  are  treasured  up,  and  bestowed  with  un- 
wearied as  well  as  unlimited  bounty. 

Behold  that  Father  advancing  to  meet  you  on 
your  way!  Hear  Him  calling  to  you  with  infinite 
compassion,  Ho!  thou  starving,  perishing  prodigal. 
Return  to  me  and  to  mine.  Art  thou  hungry?  I 
will  feed  thee  with  living  bread.  Aft  thou  thirsty? 
I  will  lead  thee  to  fountains  of  living  waters.  Art 
thou  naked?  I  will  clothe  thee  with  the  robe 
of  righteousness.  Art  thou  weary?  I  will  guide 
thee  to  eternal  rest.  Art  thou  friendless?  I  will  be 
to  thee  a  Father,  and  an  everlasting  friend.  Dead? 
thou  shalt  live  airain.  Lost?  I  will  restore  thee  to 
a  universe  of  joy.     Come;  all  things  are  ready.  See, 


486  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

heaven  is  opened!  Behold  angels,  and  the  spirits 
of  just  men  made  ^^erfect,  waiting  for  Thy  arrival! 
See,  the  golden  sceptre  of  forgiveness  extended  be- 
fore thee!     Approach,  and  touch  and  live  for  ever. 

Advantages  of  Afflictions. 

AFFLICTIONS,  of  course,  if  wisely  improved 
and  sanctified  by  God,  yield  the  peaceable 
fruits  of  righteousness.  If  wisely  improved  by  us, 
there  is  good  reason  to  hope  that  they  will  be  thus 
sanctified.  Great  multitudes  of  mankind  are  hope- 
fully brought  out  of  darkness  into  marvelous  light 
during  seasons  of  severe  afi^iiction.  Then  the  first 
views  begin,  the  first  afiections  are  cherished,  the 
first  resolutions  are  formed,  which  introduce  all  the 
succeeding  happy  train  of  conduct  and  character  of 
the  sanctified  man.  Eternal  life  is  very  often  to  be 
dated  from  the  dying  bed  of  our  friends.  Religion 
there  sits  kindly  and  constantly  to  persuade  us  to 
admit  her  as  a  future  friend,  a  future  and  eternal 
inmate  of  our  bosoms.  Christ  there  solemnly  and 
afiectingly  calls  on  us,  as  we  dread  death,  to  dread 
sin,  the  cause  of  death,  and  to  be  alarmed  with  the 
thought  of  dying  for  ever;  to  be  reconciled  to  God, 
then  waiting  to  receive  us  to  His  arms,  and  to  believe 
in  Himself,  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  that  He  may 
raise  us  up  at  the  last  day.  Salvation  here  dawns 
like  the  day-star,  rising  out  of  a  night  of  gloom  and 
tempest,  and  anticipating  a  perfect  and  glorious  day. 
The  soul,  here  under  a  load  of  hopeless  sorrow,  find- 
ing no  earthly  friend  or  comforter  able  and  willing 


TIMOTHY   DWIGHT.  4^7 

to  relieve  its  distresses,  bows  before  its  divine  Re- 
deemer, and  turns  to  the  Spirit  of  grace  for  heavenly 
and  immortal  consolation. 

Consolation  for  the  Afflicted. 

TO  the  poor  afflicted  race  of  men  religion  is  a 
heavenly  messenger,  who,  like  the  angels  sent 
to  the  Bethlehem  shepherds  to  announce  the  birth 
of  the  Saviour,  while  she  proclaims  unceasingly, 
'  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,'  sings  also,  'Peace  on 
earth,  and  good-will  towards  men.'  Towards  every 
sufierer,  laboring  under  heavy  sorrows,  and  in  the 
midst  of  despondency  casting  around  his  eyes  in  vain 
to  find  consolation  and  relief,  she  approaches  with 
her  own  serene  and  benevolent  smile,  and  proffers 
herself  as  a  comfort  to  mourners.  In  lier  hand  she 
carries  the  word  of  God,  and  opening  the  wonderful 
book,  points  to  lines  Avritten  with  the  divine  finger, 
and  dictated  by  the  voice  of  infinite  compassion. 
'Behold,'  she  cries,  '  the  testimonies  of  the  Lord  are 
the  heritage  of  the  afflicted  for  ever.  They  are  the 
rejoicing  of  the  broken  heart.'  In  this  sacred  Volume 
read,  and  find  all  the  relief  which  your  sorrows  need. 
Here  the  infinitely  blessed  Jehovah  has  portra3'ecl 
Himself  in  characters  of  light,  as  the  Father  of 
all  mercies  and  the  God  of  all  grace  and  consolation. 
Here  He  has  disclosed  Himself  as  the  common,  kind, 
and  compassionate  parent  of  men,  and  has  taught 
them  that  all  His  chastisements  arc  inflicted  only  for 
the  good  of  the  sufferers,  that  it  is  their  frowardness 
which  requires  them,  and  their   frowardness  only 


488  DEVOTIONAL   THOUGHTS. 

which  prevents  them  from  being  the  choicest  bless- 
ings. To  cure  your  melancholy  diseases,  to  over- 
come your  dangerous  and  deadly  passions,  they  have 
descended  on  you,  that  you  may  be  a  partaker  of  His 
holiness  and  live  for  ever.  The  boundless  love  Avhich 
contrived  the  deliverance  of  this  world  from  sin  and 
ruin  is  here  seen  to  watch  with  infinite  tenderness 
over  you.  Hear  the  afiectionate  language  in  which 
is  disclosed  to  you  the  glorious  and  benevolent 
character  of  Him  who  made  you,  '  The  Lord  is  my 
shepherd,  I  shall  not  want.  He  maketh  me  to  lie 
down  in  green  pastures;  He  leadeth  me  beside  the 
still  waters.  He  restoreth  my  soul;  He  leadeth  me 
in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  His  name's  sake. 
Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  Thou  art  with  me; 
Thy  rod  and  Thy  staif  they  comfort  me.  Thou  pre- 
parest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of  mine  ene- 
mies; Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil;  my  cup 
runneth  over.  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  fol- 
low me  all  the  days  of  my  life:  and  I  will  dwell  in 
the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever. 

The  Desire  of  Isimortality. 

IMMORTALITY  is  necessarily  the  object  of  earn- 
est desire  to  every  intelligent,  and  would  be,  if 
he  could  form  the  thought,  to  every  percipient  being. 
It  was  the  actual  and  glorious  lot  of  our  first  parents. 
It  may  be  the  lot  of  every  one  of  us.  A  short  period, 
a  limited  life,  is  the  only  period  during  which  we 
can  obtain  it.     This  very  consideration  demands  of 


TIMOTHY    DAVIGIIT.  489 

US  the  utmost  anxiety  and  diligence.  The  death, 
also,  which  we  must  all  undergo  enforces  strongly, 
with  its  painful  and  distressing  circumstances,  this 
powerful  argument.  Like  a  beacon  lighted  up  v^ith 
an  eternal  fire,  on  a  height  visible  to  all  the  nations 
of  men,  it  solemnly  warns  us  of  the  evils  to  which 
we  are  exposed,  and  of  which  to  all  the  impenitent 
it  is  itself  the  beginning.  We  need  then  to  be  warn- 
ed. If  Ave  are  wise  we  shall  welcome  the  alarm,  and, 
beholding  the  Sun  of  life  hastening  through  the 
heavens,  shall  do,  while  the  day  lasts,  whatsoever 
our  hand  findeth  to  do,  with  our  might,  and,  to 
quicken  our  diligence,  shall  cast  a  constant  and  ap- 
prehensive eye  toward  the  rapid  approach  of  that 
night  in  which  no  man  can  work.  Instead  of  wish- 
ing to  live  longer,  we  shall  labor  to  live  better.  In- 
stead of  vainly  panting  for  immortal  being  in  a  world 
of  sin  and  sorrow,  where  we,  together  with  others, 
should  only  sin  and  suffer,  we  should  lend  all  our 
efforts  to  find  it  in  that  glorious  world  where  it  can 
be  actually  found,  and  where  its  ages  roll  on  in  the 
fullness  of  joyand  pleasures  for  evermore. 

Blessings  of  Prayer. 

PRAYEK  will  make  you  daily  better,  wiser,  and 
lovelier  in  God's  sight,  by  cherishing  in  you 
those  views  and  emotions  which  constitute  the  cha- 
racter of  a  good  man.  It  will  soothe  every  tumult 
of  your  bosoms,  allay  your  fears,  comfort  your  sor- 
rows,  invigorate  your  hopes,  give  you  peace  in  hand, 

and  anticipate  glory  to  come.     It  will  restrain  you 

21* 


490  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

from  sin,  strengthen  you  against  temptation,  recall 
you  from  wandering,  give  life  and  serenity  to  your 
consciences,  furnish  you  with  clearer  views  concern- 
ing your  duty,  alarm  you  concerning  your  danger, 
and  inspire  you  with  ardor,  confidence,  and  delight 
in  the  Christian  course. 

In  prayer  God  will  meet  you,  and  commune  with 
you  face  to  face,  as  a  man  with  his  friend.  He  will 
'  lift  upon  you  the  light  of  His  reconciled  counte- 
nance;' will  'put  joy  and  gladness  in  your  hearts;' 
and  will  awaken  in  you  the  spirit  of  '  thanksgiving 
and  the  voice  of  melody.'  '  When  you  pass  through 
the  waters  He  will  be  with  you;  and  through  the 
rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  you;  when  you  walk 
through  the  fire,  you  shall  not  be  burned,  neither 
shall  the  flame  kindle  on  you:  for  He  is  the  Lord 
your  God,  the  holy  one  of  Israel,  your  Saviour.' 
'  In  an  acceptable  time  He  will  hear  you,  and  in  a 
day  of  salvation  will  He  help  you.'  '  The  mountains 
will  indeed  depart,  and  the  hills  be  removed;  but' 
(if  3^ou  seek  Him  faithfully)  '  His  kindness  shall  not 
depart  from  you,  nor  His  covenant  of  peac42  be  re- 
moved.' '  Seek,  then,  the  Lord,  while  He  may  be 
found:  call  ye  upon  Him,  while  He  is  near.'  '  When 
you  call  He  will  answer;  and  when  you  cry  unto 
Him,  He  will  say,  Here  I  am.' 

On  Peayee  foe  Eevivals  of  Religion. 

NO  good  descends  from  heaven  to  this  world, 
except  as  an  answer  to  prayer.     'Ask,  and  ye 
shall    receive'  is  the  irreat  law  accordino-  to  which 


TIMOTHY   DWIGHT.  491 

all  blessings  are  given.  Pray  always  with  all  prayer 
and  supplicatioli  of  the  Spirit,  therefore,  for  the  re- 
storation of  mankind  to  the  favor  and  the  service  of 
God.  For  this  glorious  end  let  the  secret  aspirations 
of  the  closet  rise  unceasingly  to  the  throne  of  mercy. 
These  let  the  morning  and  evening  oblation  of  the 
household  accompany  every  day  to  the  presence  of 
God,  and  call  down  the  life-£^ivin<y  influence  of  the 
Spirit  of  grace  upon  this  world  of  death  and  ruin. 
Finally,  for  the  same  delightful  end,  let  the  sweet 
incense  of  the  sanctuary  ascend  in  one  vast  cloud  to 
heaven,  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  as  the  united  and 
acceptable  ofiering  of  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  Him  who  has  not  said  to  the  house  of 
Jacob,  '  Seek  ye  my  face  in  vain.'  Thus  shall  the 
millions  of  your  fellow-men,  '  ransomed  of  the  Lord, 
return  and  come  to  Zion  with  sono^s  and  everlastins: 
joy  upon  their  heads.  They  shall  obtain  joy  and 
gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away.' 

Heaven  Our  Home. 

HEAVEN  is  your  proper  home.  Point  your 
course  to  that  glorious  and  happy  world;  and 
let  every  step  which  you  take  here  advance  you  to- 
wards immortal  life.  Let  angels  behold  your  pro- 
gress, and  rejoice  over  your  repentance,  and  the 
spirits  of  the  just  prepare  to  welcome  you  to  their 
divine  assembly. 


4:92  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

Heaven  in  View. 

C1AN  Christians  fail  to  look  often  to  that  delight- 
)  fal  world  where  their  Saviour  dwells,  and 
where  they  are  all  finally  to  be  assembled  in  His 
presence?  Will  not  the  remembrance  of  the  fullness 
of  joy,  the  pleasures  which  flow  for  ever  in  this  re- 
gion of  immortality,  awaken  in  the  most  ardent  man- 
ner, their  admiration,  their  love,  their  gratitude,  and 
their  praise  to  Him,  who  formed  it  in  the  beginning; 
who  stored  it  with  glory,  life,  and  joy;  who  ascended 
the  cross  that  He  might  open  its  everlasting  doors 
for  their  admission  to  its  infinite  blessings. 

Our  Father's  House. 

^  XN  His  Father's  house,'  Christ  has  told  us,  '  are 
JL  many  mansions.'  To  that  happy  residence  '  He 
has  gone  before,  to  prepare  a  place  for  us,'  nay,  He 
has  declared  that  He  will  '  create  new  heavens  and 
a  new  earth,'  for  the  reception  of  those  who  trust  in 
Him  and  'love  His  appearing.'  In  this  new  world, 
He  has  assured  us,  '  there  shall  be  no  more  death, 
nor  sorrow,  nor  crying,  nor  any  more  pain:,  for  all 
these  former  evil  things  shall  then  have  passed  away.' 
In  this  happy  region,  the  '  righteousness,'  which  the 
paradise  below  the  sun  was  destined  to  reward,  '  will 
dwell  for  ever.'  There  the  tree  of  life  blossoms,  and 
bears  anew;  and  there  immortality  flows  again  in 
'  the  pure  river  of  the  water  of  life.'  There  '  the  sun 
no  more  goes  down;  neither  does  the  moon  withdraw 
itself;'  for  Jehovah  is  '  the  everlasting  light'  of  His 
children,  and  'their  God  their  glory.'     From  that 


TIJMOTHY    DWIGIIT.  493 

delightful  world  the  Redeemer  cries,  'Behold,  I 
come  quickly,  and  my  reward  is  with  me.'  Oh  that 
every  heart  may  answer,   '  Even  so,  come  Lord  Jesus.' 

T 

Amen. 

Heaven  and  Earth  Compared. 

HERE  also  all  things  will  live.  Death  and  sor- 
row, disease  and  pain,  crying  and  tears,  will 
have  fled  for  ever.  There  will  be  nothing  to  de- 
stroy, nothing  to  impair,  nothing  to  lament.  Every- 
thing will  live;  and  not  merely  live,  but  grow,  and 
flourish,  and  bloom,  without  interruption.  Life,  in 
a  sublime  and  superior  sense,  life  vernal  and  immor- 
tal, will  impregnate  the  streams  and  trees,  the  leaves 
and  fruits,  and  animate  the  bodies  and  minds  of  the 
firstborn. 

As  all  things  in  heaven  will  be  informed  with  life, 
so  they  will  become  iiniversally  means  of  joy.  The 
present  world  is  justly  styled  '  a  vale  of  tears.'  Dis- 
tress awaits  us  here  in  a  thousand  forms.  Within  ns 
it  dwells,  without  it  assails.  We  are  sinners,  are  the 
subjects  of  ungratified  desire,  disappointment,  dis- 
content, reproaches  of  conscience,  and  distressing 
apprehensions  concerning  the  anger  of  God.  At  the 
same  time  our  frail  bodies  are  subjected  to  the  evils 
of  hunger  and  thirst,  of  cold  and  heat,  of  weariness 
and  languor,  of  sickness  and  pain,  of  decay  and  death. 
Our  friends  and  families  are  in  want,  pain,  and  sor- 
row; they  sicken  and  die;  their  sins  disgrace  them 
and  wound  us;  and  awaken  excruciating  apprehen- 
sions concerning  their  destiny    beyond    the   grave. 


494:  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

War  also  frequently  spreads  wide  the  miseries  of 
dismay,  plmider,  slaughter  and  devastation.  To 
beino;s  habituated  to  a  state  of  existence  so  exten- 
sively  formed  of  these  distressing  materials,  how 
Avelcome  must  be  the  change  which  transports  them 
from  this  world  to  heaven!  When  'the  ransomed 
of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come  to'  the  celestial 
'Zion  with  songs,  everlasting  joy  shall  be  upon  their 
heads;  they  shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sor- 
row and  sighing  shall  flee  away.'  Heaven  is  created 
to  be  the  residence  of  happiness.  Every  thing  which 
it  contains  will  be  beauty,  grandeur  and  glory  to  the 
eye,  harmony  to  the  ear,  and  rapture  to  the  heartj 
rapture  which  admits  no  mixture,  and  knows  no  ter- 
mination. 

Christ  the  Light  of  Heaven. 

CHRIST  is  the  light  of  heaven,  as  well  as  of 
earth.  Li  this  divine  Person  the  Godhead  will 
shine  without  a  cloud,  and  be  seen  face  to  face.  The 
splendor  will  be  all  intelligence  and  enjoyment,  and 
the  warmth,  life  and  love.  The  happy  millions  will 
bask  for  ever  in  the  benevolent  beams;  and,  with 
the  eagle's  eye  fixed  on  the  divine  luminary,  will  rise 
on  eagle's  wings  with  a  perpetually  invigorated 
flight,  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
for  ever. 


ANDREW  FULLER. 
1754-1815. 

Life  of  Faith. 

[RE AT  and  wonderful  is  the  consolation 
that  such  a  life  affords.  In  all  the  vicis- 
situdes of  life  and  horrors  of  death,  noth- 
ing can  cheer  and  fortify  the  mind  like 
this.  By  faith  in  an  unseen  world  we 
can  endure  injuries  without  revenge,  afflictions 
without  fainting,  and  losses  without  despair.  Let 
the  nations  of  the  earth  dash,  like  potsherds,  one 
against  another;  yea,  let  nature  herself  approach 
towards  her  final  dissolution;  let  her  groan  as 
being  ready  to  expire,  and  sink  into  her  primitive 
nothing;  still  the  believer  lives!  His  all  is  not  on 
board  that  vessel!  His  chief  inheritance  lies  in 
another  soil ! 

'  His  hand  the  good  man  fastens  on  the  skies, 
And  bids  earth  roll,  nor  feels  her  idle  whirl." 

It  will  make  vision  the  sweeter.  It  affords  a  great 
pleasure,  when  we  make  a  venture  of  any  kind,  to 
find  ourselves  at  last  not  disappointed.  If  a  con- 
siderate man  embark  his  all  on  board  a  vessel,  and 
himself  with  it,  he  may  have  a  thousand  fears,  before 


4:96  '         DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

he  reaches  the  end  of  his  voyage;  yet  should  he, 
after  numberless  dangers,  safely  arrive,  and  find  it 
not  only  answer,  but  far  exceed  his  expectations,  his 
joy  will  then  be  greater  than  if  he  had  run  no  hazard 
at  all.  What  he  has  gained  will  seem  much  sweeter 
than  if  it  had  fallen  to  liim  in  a  way  that  had  cost 
him  nothing.  Thus  believers  venture  their  all  in  the 
hands  of  Christ,  persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep 
that  which  they  have  committed  to  Him  against  that 
day.  To  find  at  last  that  they  have  not  confided  in 
Him  in  vain — yea,  that  their  expectations  are  not 
only  answered,  but  infinitely  outdone — will  surely 
enhance  the  bliss  of  heaven.  The  remembrance  of 
our  dangers,  fears,  and  sorrows  will  enable  us  to 
enjoy  the  heavenly  state  with  a  degree  of  happiness 
impossible  to  have  been  felt,  if  those  dangers,  fears, 
and  sorrows  had  never  existed. 

Christ  Crucified. 

C CHRIST  crucified  is  the  central  point,  in  which 
)  all  the  lines  of  evangelical  truth  meet  and  are 
united.  There  is  not  a  doctrine  in  the  Scriptures 
but  what  bears  an  important  relation  to  it.  Would 
we  understand  the  glory  of  the  Divine  character  and 
government?  It  is  seen  in  perfection  in  the  face  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Would  we  learn  the  evil  of  sin,  and 
our  perishing  condition  as  sinners?  EacJi  is  mani- 
fested in  His  sufferings.  All  the  blessings  of  grace 
and  glory  are  given  us  in  Him,  and  for  His  sake. 
Practical  religion  finds  its  most  powerful  motives  in 
His  dying  love.    That  doctrine  of  which  Christ  is  not 


ANDREW    FULLER.  497 

the  sum  and  substance  is  not  the  gospel;  and  that 
morality  which  has  no  relation  to  Him,  and  which  is 
not  enforced  on  evangelical  principles,  is  not  Chris- 
tian, but  heathen. 

Progressive  Character  of  Heavenly  Bliss. 

RY  the  manner  in  which  some  have  spoken  and 
written  of  the  heavenly  state,  it  would  seem 
not  only  as  if  all  would  possess  an  equal  measure  of 
blessedness,  but  that  this  measure  would  be  com- 
pleted at  once;  if  not  on  the  soul's  having  left  the 
body,  yet  immediately  on  its  reunion  with  it  at  the 
resurrection.  But  such  ideas  appear  to  me  to  have 
no  foundation  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  salvation  is  altogether  of  grace,  and  that 
everv  crown  will  be  cast  at  the  feet  of  Christ;  but  it 
does  not  follow  that  they  shall  be  in  all  respects 
alike.  Paul's  crown  of  rejoicing,  for  instance,  will 
greatly  consist  in  the  salvation  of  those  among  whom 
he  labored;  but  this  cannot  be  the  case  with  every 
other  inhabitant  of  heaven.  And  with  respect  to  the 
completion  of  the  bliss,  there  certainly  will  be  no 
such  imperfection  attending  it  as  to  be  a  source  of 
sorrow,  but  rather  of  joy,  as  affording  matter  for  an 
endless  progression  of  knowledge,  and  consequently 
of  love,  and  joy,  and  praise.  There  is  no  sorrow  in 
the  minds  of  angels  in  their  present  state;  yet  they 
are  described  as  looking  with  intenseness  and  delight 
into  the  doctrine  of  the  Cross;  which  clearly  indicates 
a  progressiveness  in  knowledge  and  happiness.  God 
is  i^erfect,  and  immutably  the  same;  but  it  is  as  He 


498  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

is  revealed  or  manifested  to  us  that  we  enjoy  Him  as 
our  portion.  If,  therefore,  He  be  gradually  mani- 
festing Himself  through  time,  and  thereby  causing 
the  tide  of  celestial  bliss  to  rise  higher  and  higher,  it 
may  be  the  same  to  eternity.  Nay  more,  if  heavenly 
bliss  consist  in  knowing  the  love  of  Christ,  and  that 
love,  when  all  is  said  and  done,  '  passeth  knowledge,' 
it  must  be  so;  there  must  either  come  a  period  when 
the  finite  mind  shall  have  perfectly  comprehended 
the  infinite,  and  therefore  can  have  nothing  more  to 
learn,  or  knowledge  and  happiness  must  be  eternally 
progressive. 

Blessedness  of  Heaven. 

IN  what  sense  could  Christ  be  said  to  '  prepare  a 
place '  for  His  followers,  if  His  presence  did  not 
greatly  tend  to  augment  the  blessedness  of  that 
world  whither  He  went,  and  render  it  a  sweet  resort 
to  them  Avhen  they  should  have  passed  their  days 
of  tribulation?  If  heavenly  bliss  consist  much  in 
social  enjoyment,  the  arrival  of  any  interesting  char- 
acter must  be  somewhat  of  an  acquisition.  If  our 
present  conceptions,  however,  be  any  rule  of  judging, 
the  being  introduced  to  certain  dear  friends  who 
have  gone  before  us  will  be.  a  source  of  pleasure  in- 
expressible. In  this  point  of  view  every  one  who 
goes  before  contributes  in  some  degree  to  prepare  a 
place  for  those  fhat  follow  after;  and  as  things  con- 
tinually move  on  in  the  same  direction,  the  sum 
total  of  heavenly  ei\joyment  must  be  continually 
accumulatinoj.     But  if  such  be  the  influence  arisins: 


AXI  RKW    FULLER.  499 

from  the  accession  of  creatures,  what  must  that  have 
been  which  followed  His  entrance  who  is  Life  itself ! 
His  presence  would  render  those  blest  abodes  ten 
thousand  times  more  blessed.  Hence  the  grand 
motive  to  heavenly-mindedness  in  the  New  Testament 
is  drawn  from  the  consideration  of  Christ's  being  in 
heaven.  'If/  said  Paul,  'ye  be  risen  with  Christ] 
seek  those  things  which  are  above,  lohere  Christ  sit- 
teth  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  And  what  the  apostle 
recommended  to  others  was  exemplified  in  himself; 
for  he  had  '  a  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christy 
which  is  far  better.' 


ROBERT  HALL,  A.  M. 

1764-1831. 

Eeunion  of  Good  Men  in  Heaven. 

F  the  mere  conception  of  the  reunion 
of  good  men,  in  a  future  state,  infused  a 
momentary  rapture  into  the  mind  of  TuUj ; 
if  an  airy  speculation,  for  there  is  reason 
to  fear  it  had  little  hold  on  his  convictions, 
could  inspire  him  with  such  delight,  what  may  we 
be  expected  to  feel,  who  are  assured  of  such  an 
event  by  the  true  sayings  of  God !  How  should  we 
rejoice  in  the  prospect,  the  certainty,  rather,  of 
spending  a  blissful  eternity  with  those  whom  we 
loved  on  earth ;  of  seeing  them  emerge  from  the 
ruins  of  the  tomb,  and  the  deeper  ruins  of  the  fall, 
not  only  uninjured,  but  refined  and  perfected, '  with 
every  tear  wiped  from  their  eyes,'  standing  before 
.  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb,  *  in  white  robes, 
and  palms  in  their  hands,  crying  with  a  loud 
voice.  Salvation  to  God,  that  sitteth  upon  the 
throne  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever.'  What 
delight  will  it  afford  to  renew  the  sweet  counsel 
we  have  taken  together,  to  recount  the  toils  of 
combat,  and  the  labor  of  the  way,  and  to  approach 
not  the  house,  but  the  throne  of  God,  in  company. 


ROBEUT    HALL.  501 

in  order  to  join  in  the  symphonies  of  heavenly  voices, 
and  lose  ourselves  amidst  the  splendors  and  fruitions 
of  the  beatific  vision! 

FRiENDsrap  Founded  on  Religion. 

FRIENDSHIP,  founded  on  the  principles  of 
worldly  morality,  recognized  by  virtuous  heath- 
ens, such  as  that  which  subsisted  between  Atticus 
and  Cicero,  which  the  last  of  these  illustrious  men 
has  rendered  immortal,  is  fitted  to  survive  through 
all  the  vicissitudes  of  life,  but  it  belongs  only  to  a 
union  founded  on  religion,  to  continue  through  an 
endless  duration.  The  former  of  these  stood  the 
shock  of  conflicting  opinions,  and  of  a  revolution  that 
shook  the  world;  the  latter  is  destined  to  survive 
when  the  heavens  are  no  more,  and  to  spring  fresh 
from  the  ashes  of  the  universe.  The  former  pos- 
sessed all  the  stability  which  is  possible  to  sublunary 
things;  the  latter  partakes  of  the  eternity  of  God. 
Friendship  founded  on  worldly  principles  is  natural, 
and  though  composed  of  the  best  elements  of  nature, 
is  not  exempt  from  its  mutability  and  frailty;  the 
latter  is  spiritual,  and  therefore  unchanging  and  im- 
perishable. The  friendship  which  is  founded  on 
kindred  tastes  and  congenial  habits,  apart  from  piety, 
is  permitted  by  the  benignity  of  Providence  to  em- 
bellish a  world,  which,  with  all  its  magnificence  and 
beauty,  Avill  shortly  pass  away;  that  which  has  reli- 
gion for  its  basis,  will  ere  long  be  transplanted,  in 
order  to  adorn  the  paradise  of  God. 


502         DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

How  A  Minister  Should  Preach. 

DISPLAY  the  sufferings  of  Christ  like  one  who 
was  an  eye-witness  of  those  sufferings,  and  hold 
up  the  blood,  the  precious  blood  of  atonement,  as 
issuing  warm  from  the  cross.     It  is  a  peculiar  ex- 
cellence of  the  gospel,  'that  in  its  wonderful  adapta- 
tion to  the  state  and  condition  of  mankind  as  fallen 
creatures,  it  bears  intrinsic  marks  of  its  divinity,  and 
is  supported  not  less  by  internal  than  by  external 
evidence.     By  a  powerful  apJ3eal  to  the  conscience, 
by  a  fiiithful  delineation  of  man  in  his  grandeur  and 
in  his  weakness,  in  his  original  capacity  for  happiness 
and  his  present  misery  and  guilt,  present  this  branch 
of  its  evidence  in  all  its  force.     Seize  on  every  occa- 
sion those  features  of  Christianity  which  render  it 
interesting,  and  by  awakening  the  fears,  and  exciting 
the  hopes,  of  your  hearers,  endeavor  to  annihilate 
every  other  object,  and  make  it  appear  what  it  really 
is,  the  pearl  of  great  price,  the  sovereign  balm,  the 
cure  of  every  ill,  the  antidote  of  death,  the  precursor 
of  immortality-    In  such  a  ministry,  fear  not  to  give 
loose  to  all  the  ardor  of  your  soul,  to  call  into  action 
every  emotion  and  every  faculty  which  can  exalt  or 
adorn  it. 

The  Pursuit  of  Salvation. 

THE  pursuit  of  salvation  is  the  only  enterprise, 
in  which  no  one  fails  from  weakness,  none  from 
an  invincible  ignorance  of  futurity,  none  from  the 
sudden  vicissitudes  of  fortune,  against  which  there 
exists  no  effectual  security,  none  from  those  occa- 


T^ORETIT    HALL.  503 

sional  eclipses  of  knowledge  and  fits  of  inadvertence, 
to  which  the  most  acute  and  wakeful  intellect  is  ex- 
posed. How  suitable  is  it  to  the  character  of  the 
Being  who  reveals  Himself  by  the  name  of  Love,  to 
render  the  object  which  is  alone  worthy  of  being 
aspired  to  with  ardor,  the  only  one  to  which  all  may, 
without  presumption,  aspire;  and  while  He  conceals 
thrones  and  sceptres  in  the  shadow  of  His  hand,  and 
bestows  them  Avhere  He  pleases,  with  a  mysterious 
and  uncontrollable  sovereignty,  on  *  opening  the 
springs  of  eternal  felicity,  to  proclaim  to  the  utmost 
bounds  of  the  earth,  '  Let  him  that  is  athirst,  come; 
and  whosoever  will,  let  him  partake  of  the  water  of 
life  freely.' 


Funeral  Obsequies  of  a  Lost  Soul. 

WHAT,  my  brethren,  if  it  be  lawful  to  indulge 
such  a  thought,  what  would  be  the  funeral 
obsequies  of  a  lost  soul?  Where  shall  Ave  find  the 
tears  fit  to  be  wept  at  such  a  spectacle;  or  could  we 
realize  the  calamity  in  all  its  extent,  what  tokens  of 
commiseration  and  concern  would  be  deemed  equal 
to  the  occasion?  Would  it  suffice  for  the  sun  to  veil 
his  light,  and  the  moon  her  brightness;  to  cover  the 
ocean  Avith  mourning,  and  the  heavens  with  sack- 
cloth; or  were  the  Avhole  fabric  of  nature  to  become 
animated  and  vocal,  would  it  be  possible  for  her  to 
utter  a  groan  too  deep,  or  a  cry  too  piercing,  to  ex- 
press the  magnitude  and  extent  of  such  a  catastrophe? 


504  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

A  Penitent  on  His  Knees. 
rriHE  sight  of  a  penitent  on  his  knees,  is  a  spectacle 
J-  which  moves  Heaven;  and  the  compassionate 
Redeemer,  who,  when  He  beheld  Saul  in  that  situa- 
tion, exclaimed,  'Behold  he  prayeth,'  will  not  be 
slow  or  reluctant  to  strengthen  you  by  His  might, 
and  console  you  by  His  Spirit.  When  a  '  new  and 
living  way '  is  opened  '  into  the  holiest  of  all,'  by  the 
blood  of  Jesi\s,  not  to  avail  ourselves  of  it,  not  to 
arise  and  go  to  our  Father,  but  to  prefer  remaining 
at  a  guilty  distance,  encompassed  with  famine,  to  the 
rich  and  everlasting  provisions  of  His  house,  will  be 
a  source  of  insupportable  anguish,  when  we  shall  see 
Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  God,  and  ourselves  shut  out. 

Peepaeation  foe  Judgment  and  Eteenity. 
^  A  FTER  death  is  the  judgment.'  What  is  to 
JtSl,  shield  you  in  judgment  from  the  stroke  of 
vengeance?  Have  you  been  hearing  the  calls  of  the 
gospel  Avithout  regarding  them?  Have  you  not  ap- 
plied the  truth  to  yourselves?  O,  retreat  now  from 
the  snares  of  the  world ;  shut  your  eyes  upon  the 
scenes  of  time,  on  which  they  must  soon  be  closed 
for  ever.  Converse  with  the  world  to  come;  en- 
deavor to  yield  to  the  power  of  it ;  look  at  '  the 
things  which  are  not  seen;'  walk,  as  it  were,  upon 
the  borders  of  the  ocean  of  eternity,  and  listen  to 
the  .sound  of  its  waters  till  3'ou  arc  deaf  to  every 
sound  besides. 

The  blessed  Saviour,  who,  when  He  was  upon  earth, 


ROBERT    HALL.  505 

raised  the  dead  and  healed  all  manner  of  diseases, 

is  able  to  heal  your  spiritual  maladies,  and  to  raise 

you  from  the  dead.     He  is  exalted  for  this  purpose: 

the  '  river  of  life'  flows  from  His  side;  He  invites 

you  to  partake  of  it ;   '  the  Spirit  and  the  bride  say, 

Come.     And  let  him  that  heareth  say.  Come.     And 

whosoever  will,  let  him  come  and  take  of  the  water 

of  life  freely,'  Rev.  xxii.  17.     In  the  blessed  Saviour 

are  all  the  springs  of  pardon,  grace  and  everlasting 

consolation:  He  will  guide  you  through  every  scene, 

give  you  victory  over  death,  admit  you  through  the 

gates  into  the  city,  and  there  He  will  '  wipe  away  all 

tears  from  your  eyes,'  Rev.  xxi.  4.     He  will  dwell 

with  you,  and  you  with  Him;  and  you  shall  be  '  kings 

and  priests  unto  God '  for  ever. 

The  Lamb  of  God. 

AS  our  salvation  from  the  efiects  of  sin  is  a  de- 
liverance from  a  far  worse  than  Egyptian  cap- 
tivity and  misery,  so  its  accomplishment  required  a 
far  greater  exertion  of  Deity  than  was  required  to 
arrest  the  billows  of  the  Red  Sea.  Never  did  '  the 
mighty  God '  more  fully  displa}^  the  greatness  of 
His  power,  than  when  He  showed  Himself  '  mighty 
to  save,  even  to  the  uttermost.'  He  fixed  the  foun- 
dation on  which  w^e  may  build  our  hope  of  immor- 
tality, and  find  it  to  be  'a  hope  that  maketh  not 
ashamed,'  founded  on  the  Rock  of  Ages.  He  went 
into  the  shadow  of  death,  into  '  the  lowest  parts  of 
the  earth,'  that  He  might  lay  deej>  the  basis  of  that 
edifice  ivhich  was  to  rise  as  high  as  the  throne  of  God  ! 

22 


506  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

'  He  bore  our  sins  in  His  own  body  on  the  tree/  thai 
we  might  become  partakers  of  His  own  divine  na- 
ture. This,  my  brethren,  is  a  view  of  '  the  Lamb  of 
God,'  of  the  last  importance  to  be  taken  by  us  all. 
If  you  see  Him  not  in  this  character,  you  see  nothing 
to  any  valuable  purpose.  You  have  takeii  hold  of 
nothing,  you  have  grasped  only  shadoivs,  if  you  have 
not  taken  hold  of  Christ,  your  Life.  Flee  to  Him  : 
cleave  to  Him  :  say  of  Him  in  the  sincerity  of  your 
heart,  '  This  is  all  my  salvation  and  all  my  desire.' 

The  Eye  of  Faith. 
TT^O  the  eye  of  Christian  faith,  which  looks  at  what 
I  is  seen  and  temporal  by  the  light  of  what  is 
unseen  and  eternal,  the  darkest  clouds  of  present 
sufferings  appear,  as  it  were,  irradiated  with  a  reflec- 
tion of  that  glory  which  will  ere  long  break  forth 
from  their  o'loom,  to  shine  and  briohten  throuo-h  an 
endless  day.  One  glimpse  of  that  glory,  we  feel 
assured,  would  put  out  all  these  little  clouds  from 
our  view  or  remembrance!  Let  us  aim  to  walk  by 
faith,  and  not  by  sight ;  and  in  our  trials,  to  realize 
the  well  grounded  conviction,  '  these  sufferings  of 
time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  w^ith  the  glory 
that  shall  be  revealed '  when  time  shall  be  lost  in 
eternitv. 

The  Divine  Promises. 

WE  should  be  much  in  meditation  on  the  Divine 
promises.     We  should  be  mindful,  indeed, 
of  the  threatenings  of  God;  we  should  not  be  inat- 


EOBEPtT    HALL.  507 

tentive  to  the  prophecies  contained  in  His  Word:  but 
it  is  peculiarly  the  duty,  as  well  as  the  privilege  of 
Christians,  to  meditate  upon  His  promises.  If  you 
would  enter  into  the  vital  reality  of  religion,  you 
must  enter  into  these  promises;  into  their  pure  and 
sanctifying  consolations.  Taste  of  the  love  of  God  ! 
Keview  the  riches  of  your  inheritance!  Look  to  the 
Saviour  as  the  source  of  all  fullness  !  Endeavor  to 
let  3^our  mind  be  saturated  with  these  promises  !  Oh, 
let  us  not  be  satisfied  with  a  cold,  a  formal,  legal 
obedience  to  the  commandments:  let  us  learn  to  feed 
upon  the  sweetness  of  the  promises  !  And  we  shall 
need  their  support  ere  long:  time  is  hastening  from 
us  all ;  man  is  but  breath,  but  dust !  soon  you  will 
be  here  no  more.  He  that  shall  come,  will  come  ere 
long !  Happy  they  that  hope  and  wait  for  His 
coming  !  Every  day,  if  you  are  a  Christian,  you  are 
nearer  to  heaven;  less  of  toil  and  trial  remains.  And 
death,  as  well  as  life,  is  yours;  to  die  is  your  exceed- 
ing gain.  '  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying, 
Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  ;  for  they 
rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  follow  them.' 

Continual  Virtue  of  Christ's  Blood. 

HIS  blood,  so  to  speak,  is  just  as  warm  and 
fresh  as  when  it  was  first  shed :  it  has  an  un- 
decaying  virtue.  The  Lamb  forever  appears  as 
newly  slain,  though  millions  have  been  already  saved, 
and  millions  more  remain  to  be  saved.  He  was 
oflTered  once  for  all ;  He  is  an  eternal,  unchangeable 
High  Priest ;  for  God's  law  has  been  once  for  all 


508  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

fully  satisfied  by  Him.  No  generation  can  ai'ise  that 
will  not  equally  want  this  Saviour,  and  none  that 
will  not  equally  find  Him  sufficient;  for  all  the  ful- 
ness of  God  dwells  in  Him,  and  He  ever  lives  to 
make  intercession  for  us  ! 

Importance  of  the  Christian  Ministry. 

VANITY  is  inscribed  on  every  earthly  pursuit, 
on  all  sublunary  labor;  its  materials,  its  instru- 
ments, and  its  objects  will  alike  perish.  An  incurable 
taint  of  mortality  has  seized  upon,  and  will  consume 
them  ere  long.  The  acquisitions  derived  from  reli- 
gion, the  graces  of  a  renovated  mind,  are  alone  per- 
manent. This  is  the  mystic  inclosure,  rescued  from 
the  empire  of  change  and  death;  this  is  the  field 
which  the  Lord  has  blessed;  and  this  word  of  the 
kingdom,  the  seed  which  alone  produces  immortal 
fruit,  the  very  bread  of  life,  with  which,  under  a 
higher  economy,  the  Lamb  in  the  midst  of  the  throne 
will  feed  His  flock  and  replenish  His  elect,  through 
eternal  ages.  How  high  and  awful  a  function  is 
that  which  proposes  to  establish  in  the  soul  an  in- 
terior dominion — to  illuminate  its  powers  by  a  celes- 
tial light — and  introduce  it  to  an  intimate,  ineflfable, 
and  unchanging  alliance  with  the  Father  of  spirits. 
What  an  honor  to  be  employed  as  the  instrument  of 
conducting  that  mysterious  process  by  which  men 
are  born  of  God;  to  expel  from  the  heart  the  venom 
of  the  old  serpent;  to  purge  the  conscience  from  in- 
visible stains  of  guilt;  to  release  the  passions  from 
the  bondage  of  corruption,  and  invite  them  to  soar 


ROBERT   HALL.  509 

aloft  into  the  regions  of  uncreated  light  and  beauty; 
'  to  say  to  the  prisoners,  go  forth,  to  them  that  are 
in  darkness,  show  yourselves!'  These  are  the  fruits 
which  arise  from  the  successful  discharge  of  the 
Christian  ministry;  these  the  effects  of  the  gospel, 
wherever  it  becomes  the  power  of  God  unto  salva- 
tion; and  the  interests  which  they  create,  the  joys 
which  they  diffuse,  are  felt  in  other  worlds. 

Salvation  to  the  Uttermost. 

^T^HE  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  is  a  deluge  that  drowns 
JL  all  the  mountains  of  transgression;  that  pure 
ocean  washes  away  all  stains  of  guilt.  It  is  a  sacri- 
fice whose  odor  fills  all  worlds!  a  satisfaction  that 
extends  to  all  the  principles  of  the  divine  govern- 
ment. The  apostle  seems  almost  to  single  out  him- 
self as  a  selected  and  designed  monument  of  the 
unlimited  extent  of  Christ's  atonement.  '  This  is  a 
faithful  saying,  that  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world 
to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  chief.  Howbeit  for 
this  cause  I  obtained  mercy,  that  in  me  first,  Jesus 
Christ  might  show  forth  all  long-suffering,  for  a  pat- 
tern to  them  that  should  hereafter  believe  unto  life 
everlasting.'  Some  may  think  they  have  wandered 
too  long  in  ways  of  sin,  stifled  too  many  successive 
convictions,  and  sinned  away  the  virtue  of  Christ's 
blood.  However  long  you  may  have  sinned,  yet  if 
you  will  now  repent,  though  at  the  eleventh  hour, 
you  shall  be  saved.  Among  the  redeemed  multitude, 
there  will  be  found  sinners  of  every  extent  and  con- 
dition: some  that  early  sought  the  Lord,  and  walked 


510  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

loii«"  with  Him  in  orace;  but  others,  also,  called  iu 
their  hoary  hairs,  after  many  years  of  rebellion. 


Gratitude  to  the  Saviour. 

WHAT  gratitude  is  due  from  us,  to  this  dear 
Saviour!  What  shall  we  render  to  Him  for 
all  that  He  has  suffered,  in  order  that  He  might  pro- 
cure such  benefits  for  us!  What  can  be  so  shocking 
as  that  we  should  alienate  ourselves  from  Him  who 
bouo-ht  us  with  His  blood,  lifted  us  up  from  the 
abj'ss  of  despair,  beautified  us  with  salvation,  made 
us  to  sit  with  Himself  in  hea^venly  places!  By  what 
strict  and  tender  ties  are  we  bound  to  Him!  espe- 
cially when  the  faculties  which  we  give  to  Him  are 
disrnified:  and  we  receive  ourselves  back,  as  it  were, 
purified  and  ennobled! 

It  should  be  our  constant  desire  to  gratify  and 
honor  Him;  the  uppermost  feeling  in  our  hearts 
should  be,  '  What  can  I  do  for  Christ?  How  shall 
I  make  it  appear  that  I  have  been  with  Him,  that 
I  have  learned  of  Him?'  If  we  are  influenced  by 
this  spirit,  He  wdll  come  and  make  His  abode  with 
us;  He  will  manifest  Himself  to  us.  'Behold,  w^hat 
manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon  us, 
that  we  should  be  galled  the  sons  of  God!'  Let 
every  saint  esteem  all  beside  but  loss,  in  comparison 
with  the  possession  of  His  love!  Let  us  live  on  Him 
as  the  bread  of  life,  and  live  to  Him  as  the  Lord  of 
conscience.  Let  His  love  be  the  commanding  prin- 
ciple in  all  our  hearts. 


iiobert  hall.  511 

Come  to  the  Saviour  Now. 

SEEK  now  an  interest  in  'the  common  salvation!' 
Now  is  the  accepted  time;  now  is  the  convenient 
season.  While  all  around  is  mutable,  unstable,  and 
we  can  fix  on  nothing  that  does  not  escape  from  our 
eager  grasp,  lay  hold  on  Jesus  Christ,  the  Rock  of 
Ages!  While  all  beside  is  carried  away  by  the  irre- 
sistible tide  of  vanity  and  corruption,  secure  that  in- 
estimable deposit  which  will  exist  forever  in  the 
hands  of  Him  who  is  able  to  keep  it  against  the  day 
of  his  appearance  and  glory!  Come  to  the  Saviour 
just  as  you  are;  if  you  were  to  wait  to  all  eternity, 
you  would  be  no  better  prepared,  by  any  efforts  of 
your  own,  for  His  acceptance.  All  power  is  given 
to  Him;  He  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  who 
come  to  God  by  Him:  whosoever  will,  let  him  come 
to  Christ;  and  thus  be  prepared,  by  His  grace  and 
power,  to  exchange  the  light  afiiiction,  which  is  for 
a  moment,  for  an  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory! 

A  Prayee. 
^  /^  THOU,  who  art  the  Fountain  of  all  good!  we 
V^  would  approach  Thee  with  that  humility  and 
reverence  which  become  us  in  all  our  addresses  to 
Thine  infinite  Majesty.  Before  the  mountains  were 
brought  forth,  or  ever  the  earth  and  the  world  were 
created,  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  Thou  art 
God.  As  from  Thee  we  have  derived  our  existence, 
so  on  Thee  we  depend  for  every  moment  of  its  con- 
tinuance: in  Thee  Ave  live,  and  move,  and  have  our 


512  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

being.  Thou  hast  been  the  refuge  of  Thy  people  in 
all  ircnerations;  our  fathers  trusted  in  Thee,  and 
were  holpen;  they  looked  unto  Thee,  and  were 
lio-htened,  and  their  faces  were  not  ashamed.  As  for 
man,  his  days  are  as  grass;  l)Ut  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord  is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  upon  them 
that  fear  Him.  We  bless  Thee  that  we  are  permitted 
once  more  to  appear  in  Thy  presence,  the  spared 
monuments  of  Thy  providential  goodness.  We  be- 
seech Thee  to  assist  us  in  these  sacred  exercises;  in 
singing  Thy  praises,  and  hearing  Thy  holy  word. 
We  serve  Thee  only  with  Thine  own;  and  what  we 
have  received  in  mercies  and  blessings,  we  would 
render  back  to  Thee  in  gratitude  and  love.  Enable 
us  to  consider  the  operations  of  Thy  hand  in  all 
things  around,  and  all  things  within  us;  in  the  work- 
ings of  Thy  providence  abroad,  and  of  Thy  Spirit 
upon  ourselves.  Let  us  make  Thee  the  Omega  as 
well  as  the  Alpha,  the  end  as  well  as  the  beginning, 
of  all  our  undertakings;  let  all  our  works  be  begun, 
continued,  and  ended  in  Thee.  May  we  put  on  the 
whole  armor  of  God,  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in 
the  power  of  His  might;  and,  seeing  that  we  are 
encompassed  with  so  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  may 
we  lay  aside  every  weight,  and  run  ^^\t\\  patience  the 
race  set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  Author 
and  Finisher  of  our  faith.  Since  our  adversary,  the 
devil,  walketh  about,  seeking  w^hom  he  may  devour, 
him  may  we  resist,  steadfast  in  the  faith.  May  we 
rejoice  as  if  we  rejoiced  not;  weep  as  if  we  wept 
not;  and,  knowing  that  the  end  of  all  things  is  at 


ROBERT    HALL.  513 

hand,  may  we  let  our  moderation  be  known  unto  all 
men.  O  Lord,  hear  us  in  these  our  supplications, 
and  pardon  and  accept  us,  and  wash  us  and  our 
services  in  the  precious  blood  of  the  dear  and  ador- 
able Redeemer;  for  whom  we  bless  Thee,  as  Thine 
unspeakable  gift;  and  with  whom,  to  Thyself  and 
Holy  Spirit,  be  undivided  and  everlasting  praises.' 
Amen.* 

*  This  beautiful  prayer  was  offered  immediately  before  Mr.  Hall 
delivered  his  last  sacramental  lecture,  and  only  a  short  time  before 
his  death.     It  was  transcribed  by  the  Rev.  T.  Grinfield,  Avho  says: 

'It  is  a  remarkable  circumstance  that,  on  this  last  opportunity 
alone,  as  though  impelled  by  a  prophetic  sympathy,  I  preserved,  at 
the  same  time,  the  following  fragments  of  the  prayer  which  pre- 
ceded this  farcAvell  address.  Simple,  and  almost  purely  Scriptural, 
as  are  the  sentiments  and  expressions,  they  may  be  deemed  inter- 
esting here,  as  they  present,  I  believe,  the  only  recorded  relic  of 
those  prayers,  in  which,  scarcely  less  than  in  his  preaching,  Mr. 
Hall  excelled;  and  this  so  near  to  his  death.  I  give  it  verbatim,  as 
noted  at  the  time :  in  all  his  prayers  the  impression  was  much  en- 
hanced by  the  utterance,  which  was  eminently  that  of  one  '  praying 
in  the  Holy  Spirit,'  and  '  clothed  with  humility.' 


22* 


JOHN  M.  MASON,  D.  D. 

1770-1829. 

Kedemption  Theough  the  Blood  of  Christ. 

^°  HAT  tlie  atonement  of  Jesus  is,  in 
itself,  and  wliat  His  Fatlier  lias  ex- 
pressly declared  it  to  be,  millions  of  sin- 
ners have  found  it  to  their  eternal  joj. 
All  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect, 
and  all  the  believers  at  this  hour  upon  earth,  have 
loashed  their  robes,  and  made  them  tuhite  in  the  blood, 
of  the  Lamb.  Search  the  records  of  the  saved,  and 
you  will  see  names  of  the  most  atrocious  offenders 
who  were  pardoned,  and  sanctified,  and  are  now 
with  God.  Ask  them  how  they  escaped  the  wrath 
to  come,  and  entered  the  everlasting  rest?.  AVith 
oue  voice  they  will  exclaim.  He  loved  us,  and  luashed 
us  from  our  sins  in  His  oion  blood!  Ask  all  the  fam- 
ily of  grace,  who  shall  speedily  join  the  celestial 
throng,  how  they  obtained  deliverance  from  the 
curse,  and  access  to  that  terrible  God?  With 
equal  unanimity  they  will  reply.  We  are  accepted  in 
the  Beloved  !  There  is,  therefore,  redemption  through 
His  blood. 

Let  the  doubting,  disconsolate  sinner  throw  him- 
self, with  all  his  guilt  and  vileness,  into  the  arms  of 


JOHN    M.    MA80X.  515 

this  forgiving  mercy.  It  never  yet  repulsed  any 
who  came  in  the  faith  of  the  Mediator's  blood,  and 
it  will  not  begin  its  repulses  with  thee.  Go  without 
delay;  go  with  all  boldness  in  this  blood;  and  thou 
shalt  find  as  cordial  a  welcome  as  o-nice  can  s^ive  thee. 

Death  to  a  Child  of  God. 

DEATH  brings  no  j>en7  to  a  child  of  God;  and 
ought  to  be  no  more  an  object  of  his  fear  than 
the  approach  of  sleep  at  the  close  of  day.  I  speak 
not  of  the  physical  pangs  of  dying,  which  relate  to 
our  animal  perceptions,  and  to  which  our  animal 
part  never  can  nor  should  be  reconciled.  I  speak 
of  death  as  affecting  our  moral  being.  In  this  view 
he  is  rightly  named  the  '  Mng  of  terrors  f  because,  to 
ungodly  men  he  is  the  wages  of  sin.  It  is  from  guilt 
that  he  draws  his  terrifying  power.  He  announces 
to  the  Avicked  the  end  of  their  respite;  the  filling  up 
of  their  cup;  a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of  judg- 
ment and  fiery  indignation  w1iil\  shall  devour  tlie 
adversaries;  and  if  they  be  not  alarmed,  if  their 
faces  gather  not  blackness,  and  their  bosoms  horror, 
it  is  because  they  are  hardened  by  the  deceitfulness 
of  sin.  Their  stupidity  will  only  heighten  the  sur- 
prise and  consternation  of  the  eternal  world.  But 
Jesus,  having  delivered  His  people  from  the  Avrath 
to  come,  delivered  them  by  the  blood  of  His  cross, 
has  for  them  stripped  death  of  his  terrors,  and  given 
them  authority  to  cry,  as  he  hands  them  over  the 
threshold  of  life,  0  Death,  where  is  thy  sting?  the 
sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the 


516  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

laiv;  but  thanks  he  to  God  who  giveth  us  the  victory 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ/  In  such  a  case  death 
deserves  not  the  name.  It  is  but  a  sleep;  sleep  in 
its  most  heavenly  form;  sleep  in  Jesus. 

Blessed  Effects  of  the  Gospel. 
^  T"  HAVE  seen  this  gospel  hush  into  a  calm  the 
1  tempest  raised  in  the  bosom  by  conscious  guilt. 
I  have  seen  it  melt  down  the  most  obdurate  into 
tenderness  and  contrition.  I  have  seen  it  cheer  up 
the  broken-hearted,  and  bring  the  tear  of  gladness 
into  eyes  swollen  with  grief.  I  have  seen  it  produce 
and  maintain  serenity  under  evils,  which  drive  the 
worldlinof  mad.  I  have  seen  it  reconcile  the  sufferer 
to  his  cross,  and  send  the  song  of  praise  from  lips 
quivering  with  agony.  I  have  seen  it  enable  the 
most  affectionate  relatives  to  part  in  death;  not  with- 
out emotion,  but  without  repining;  and  with  a  cor- 
dial surrender  of  all  that  they  held  most  dear,  to  the 
disposal  of  their  heavenly  Father.  I  have  seen  the 
fading  eye  brighten  at  the  promise  of  Jesus,  Where 
I  am,  there  shall  my  servant  be  also.  I  have' seen  the 
faithful  spirit  released  from  its  clay,  now  mildly, 
now  triumphantly,  to  enter  into  the  joy  of  its  Lord.' 

Forgiveness  of  Sins  Final. 

THE  forgiveness  of  sins  is  final.  In  the  justifica- 
tion of  a  sinner,  God,  the  gracious  One,  pardons 
once  for  all — pardons  forever !  Pardon  would  be 
of  no  use  to  us,  were  it  not  irreversible:  it  would 
no  sooner  be  gained  than  lost.     The  Lord  doth  not 


JOHN   M.    MASON.  517 

SO  deal  with  His  parclonecl  ones;  give  them  just  to 
taste  the  sweetness  of  His  mercy,  that  their  own  sin- 
fiihiess  may  the  next  moment  fill  their  mouths  with 
the  bitterness,  and  their  hearts  with  the  horrors  of 
the  curse.  His  bomity  is  of  another  order  altogether. 
His  gifts  and  His  calling  are  without  repentance,  i.  e. 
nn<;hangeable.  His  love  is  everlasting,  and  so  is  the 
life  which  He  bestow^s  upon  them.  They  are  united 
with  His  dear  Son;  their  lives  entwine  with  His  life. 
Whatever  reaches  them  to  destroy  them,  must  first 
Idll  their  Redeemer.  Because  I  live^  is  His  gracious 
promise,  ye  shall  live  also.  They  are  kept  by  the 
power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation;  there- 
fore they  shall  never  perish.  There  is,  there  can  be, 
no  condemnation  for  them — tliey  shall  have  everlast- 
ing life. 

Contemplation  of  the  Love  of  Christ. 

DRAW  nigh,  and  contemplate  the  love  of  Christ; 
a  love  without  parallel,  and  beyond  compre- 
hension. Though  He  ivas  in  the  form  of  God^  and 
thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God^  yet  He 
made  Himself  of  no  repntation  and  took  upon  Him  the 
fonn  of  a  servant,  and  teas  made  tn  the  likeness  of 
men.  Source  of  eternal  wonder  !  Lo  '  the  Creator 
of  the  ends  of  the  earth '  descends  into  a  tabernacle 
of  flesh,  and  sojourns  among  men !  And  whence, 
blessed  Lord,  whence  this  condescension?  It  was 
for  '  the  good  of  His  chosen.'  He  assumed  their 
nature  that  He  might  occupy  their  place;  might  take 
their  guilt;  might  become  a  curse  for  them  that  they 


518  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

might  he  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  Him.  Yes, 
dear  Christian,  He  put  His  soul  in  thy  soul's  stead; 
He  drank  for  thee  the  cup  of  trembling:  it  was  thy 
guilt  which  nailed  Him  to  the  ignominious  tree;  thy 
guilt  which  rolled  the  billows  of  wrath  in  upon  His 
sinless  soul.  It  was  in  bearing  thine  iniquity  that 
hell's  blackest  midnight  thickened  upon  His  spirit, 
and  wrung  from  Him  that  agonizing  cry.  My  God, 
My  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  me?  Hath  He 
passed  through  the  fires  of  the  pit  to  save  thee?  and 
doth  He  '  stake  all  the  glories  of  His  crown  to  Iceej) 
thee?'  and  wilt  thou,  canst  thou,  darest  thou  be  back- 
ward in  promoting  the  frequent  commemoration  of 
His  love?  O  Saviour,  if  we  forget  Thee,  let  our 
right  hand  forget  her  cunning  ! 

Our  Duty  and  Happiness. 

THE  sum  of  our  duty  and  happiness,  O  believer! 
is  comprised  in  this  precept — As  ye  have  re- 
ceived Christ  Jesus  the  Lord^  so  walk  ye  in  him. 
The  blood  of  sprinkling,  kept  by  faith  in  the  con- 
science, is  the  sure  preservative  from  guilt;  the  holy 
secret  of  a  comfortable  and  familiar  walk  with  God. 
In  this  privilege  let  us  go  from  strength  to  strength, 
lifting  up  our  eyes  to  the  hills  from  ivhence  cometh 
our  help;  showing  forth  the  righteousness  and  the 
salvation  of  Jehovah  all  the  day  long:  and  waiting 
for  that  great  consummation,  when,  all  the  sorrows 
of  earth's  pilgrimage  ended,  and  all  its  defilements 
washed  away, 

'  Heaven  lifts  her  everlasting  portals  high, 
And  bids  the  pure  in  heart  behold  their  God." 


THOMAS  CHALMERS,  D.  D.,  LL.  D. 

1780-1847.       . 

Choose  Christ. 

'HOOSE  Christ,  then,  my  brethren, 
choose  Him  as  the  Captain  of  your 
salvation.  Let  Him  enter  into  your 
hearts  by  faith,  and  let  Him  dwell  con- 
tinually there.  Cultivate  a  daily  inter- 
course and  a  growing  acquaintance  with  Him.  Oh, 
you  are  in  safe  company  indeed,  when  your  fellow- 
ship is  ^yit]l  Him !  The  shield  of  His  protecting 
mediatorship  is  ever  between  you  and  the  justice 
of  God ;  and  out  of  His  fullness  there  goeth  a  con- 
stant stream  to  nourish  and  to  animate,  and  to 
strengthen  every  believer.  Why  should  the  shift- 
ing of  human  instruments  so  oppress  and  so  dis- 
courage you,  when  He  is  your  willing  Friend ;  when 
He  is  ever  present,  and  is  at  all  times  in  readiness; 
when  He,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever, 
is  to  be  met  with  in  every  place ;  and  while  His  dis- 
ciples here,  giving  w^ay  to  the  power  of  sight,  are 
sorrowful  and  in  great  heaviness,  because  they  are  to 
move  at  a  distance  from  one  another.  He,  my  breth- 
ren, He  has  His  eye  upon  all  neighborhoods  and  all 
countries,  and  will  at  length  gather  His  disciples 


520  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 

into  one  eternal  family!  Witli  such  a  Master,  let  us 
quit  ourselves  like  men.  With  the  magnificence  of 
eternity  before  us,  let  time,  with  all  its  fluctua- 
tions, dwindle  into  its  own  littleness. 

Human  Life  Peeishable. 

WHERE  are  the  men  who  a  few  years  ago  gave 
motion  and  activity  to  this  busy  theatre? 
where  those  husbandmen  who  lived  on  the  ground 
that  you  now  occupy?  where  those  laboring  poor 
who  dwelt  in  your  houses  and  villao-es?  where  those 
ministers  who  preached  the  lessons  of  piety,  and 
talked  of  the  vanity  of  this  world?  where  those  j)eo- 
ple  who,  on  the  Sabbaths  of  other  times,  assembled 
at  the  sound  of  the  church-bell,  and  filled  the  house 
in  which  you  are  now  sitting?  Their  habitation  is 
the  cold  grave,  the  land  of  forgetfulness.  *  *  * 
And  we  are  the  children  of  these  fathers,  and  heirs 
to  the  same  awful  and  stupendous  destiny'.  Ours  is 
one  of  the  many  generations  who  pass  in  rapid  suc- 
cession through  this  region  of  life  and  of  sensibility. 
The  time  in  which  I  live  is  but  a  small  moment  of  this 
world's  history.  When  we  rise  in  contemplation  to 
the  roll  of  ages  that  are  past,  the  momentary  being 
of  an  individual  shrinks  into  nothino^.  It  is  the 
flight  of  a  shadow;  it  is  a  dream  of  vanity;  it  is  the 
rapid  glance  of  a  meteor;  it  is  a  flower  which  every 
breath  of  heaven  can  wither  into  decay;  it  is  a  tale 
which  as  a  remembrance  vanisheth;  it  is  a  day  which 
the  silence  of  a  long  night  will  darken  and  over- 
sliadow.     In  a  few  years  our  heads  will  be  laid  in 


THOMAS    CIIAOIEP.S.  5'2l 

the  cold  grave,  and  the  green  turf  will  cover  us. 
The  children  who  come  after  us  will  tread  upon  our 
graves;  they  will  weep  for  us  a  few  days;  they  will 
talk  of  us  a  few  months;  they  will  remember  us  a 
few  years;  when  our  memory  shall  disappear  from 
the  face  of  the  earth,  and  not  a  tongue  shall  be  found 
to  recall  it.  *  *  *  How  perishable  is  human  life, 
yet  no  man  laj^s  it  to  heart. 

Hope  of  Immortality. 

HOLD  it  firm  and  fast  even  unto  the  end;  and 
the  bed  of  death  will  be  to  you  a  scene  of 
triumph — the  last  messenger  will  be  a  messenger  of 
joy;  and  those  bright  images  of  peace  and  rapture 
and  elevation,  which,  out  of  Christ,  are  the  mere  fab- 
rication of  the  fancy,  will,  in  Christ,  be  found  to  have 
a  reality  and  a  fulfilment,  which  shall  bear  you  up  in 
the  midst  of  your  dying  agonies,  with  a  joy  unspeak- 
able and  full  of  glory.  It-  is  no  longer  an  idle  dec- 
lamation now.  There  is  many  a  minister  of  Christ 
who  could  give  you  experience  for  it.  He  can  take 
you  to  the  house  of  mourning — to  the  mansion  of 
pain  and  of  sickness — to  the  chamber  of  the  dying  man. 
He  can  draAv  aside  the  curtain  which  covers  the  last 
hours  of  the  good  man's  existence,  and  show  you  how 
a  Christian  can  die.  He  can  ask  you  to  bend  jonr 
ear,  and  to  catch  the  faltering  accents  of  praise  and 
of  piety.  What  meaneth  that  joy  in  the  midst  of 
suffering — that  hope  in  the  midst  of  breathlessness 
and  pain — ^that  elevation  in  the  midst  of  crudest 
agonies?  It  is  not  his  own  merit  Avhich  sustains  him. — 


522  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

It  is  the  merit  of  a  benevolent  Saviour.  It  is  not  a 
sense  of  his  own  righteousness  which  gives  intre- 
piclit}^  to  his  expiring  bosom.  It  is  the  righteousness 
of  Christ.  It  is  the  hope  of  being  found  in  Him,  and 
a  sense  of  the  grace  and  forgiveness  which  he  has 
received  througli  His  hands.  In  a  word,  it  is  Christ 
who  resolves  the  mystery.  It  is  His  presence  which 
throws  tranquillity  and  joy  around  the  scene  of  dis- 
tress. It  is  He  who  administers  vigour  to  the  dying 
man;  and,  while  despair  sits  on  every  countenance, 
and  relatives  are  weeping  around  him.  He  enables 
him  to  leave  them  all  with  this  exulting  testimony — 
O  death,  where  is  thy  sting — O  grave,  where  is  thy 
victory ! 

Come  to  Christ. 

0  AVAIL  yourselves,  then,  of  the  precious  mo- 
ment that  is  now  passing  over  you.  Christ  is 
ofiered  to  you.  Salvation  is  at  your  choice.  For- 
giveness, through  the  blood  of  a  satisfying  atone- 
ment, is  yours  if  you  will.  God  does  not  want  to 
magnify  the  power  of  His  anger — He  wants  to  mag- 
nify the  power  of  His  grace  upon  you.  Try  to  ap- 
proach Him  in  your  own  righteousness,  and  you  will 
find  yourselves  toiling  at  an  impracticable  distance 
away  from  Him.  But  come  with  the  righteousness 
of  Christ  as  3^our  plea,  and  you  will  indeed  be  per- 
mitted to  draw  nigh.  God  will  rejoice  over  j^ou  for 
the  sake  of  Him  in  whom  He  is  well  pleased;  and 
you  may  freely,  and  with  all  your  heart,  rejoice  in 
God,  through  Him,  by  whom  ye  have  received  the 


THOMAS    CHALMERS.  523 

atonement.  Could  we  ytate  the  thing  more  plamly, 
we  would.  We  want  to  bring  you  into  the  condition 
of  a  simple  receiver  of  God's  pardon — a  snuple  hold- 
er on  the  truth  of  His  promises.  It  is  on  this  foot- 
ing, and  on  this  alone,  that  you  will  ever  be  clothed 
in  the  garments  of  acceptance;  or  stand  firmly  and 
surely  on  the  ground  of  reconciliation  before  Him. 
O  turn  then  into  this  peaceful  haven ;  and,  in  the  act 
of  so  turning,  God  will  pour  out  His  Spirit  upon 
you.  As  the  fruit  of  your  faith,  you  will  become  a 
new  creature,*  and,  in  stepping  over  to  that  region 
of  sunshine,  where  all  is  gladness,  you  will  be  sure 
to  experience  also  that  all  is  grace — that  the  peace 
and  purity  of  the  gospel  are  ever  in  alliance — They 
who  walk  before  God  without  fear,  being  they  who 
walk  before  Him  In  righteousness  and  in  holiness  all 
the  days  of  their  life. 

Death  will  Come. 

I  BESEECH  you  to  think  how  certainly  death 
will,  and  how  speedily  it  may,  come  upon  the 
likeliest  of  you  all.  The  very  youngest  among  you 
know  very  well  that,  if  not  cut  off  previously — 
which  is  a  very  possible  thing — then  manhood  will 
come,  and  old  age  will  come,  and  the  dying  bed  will 
come,  and  the  very  last  look  you  shall  ever  cast  on 
your  acquaintances  will  come,  and  the  agony  of  the 
parting  breath  will  come,  and  the  time  when  jou  are 
stretched  a  lifeless  corpse  before  the  eyes  of  weep- 
ing relatives  will  come,  and  the  coffin  that  is  to  in- 
close you  will  come,  and  that  hour  when  th^  com- 


524  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

pany  assemble  to  cany  you  to  the  cliiirchyard  will 
come,  and  that  minute  when  you  are  put  into  the 
grave  will  come,  and  the  throwing  in  of  the  loose 
earth  into  the  narrow  house  where  you  are  laid,  and 
the  spreading  of  the  green  sod  over  it — all,  all  will 
come  on  every  living  creature  who  now  hears  me; 
and  in  a  few  little  years  the  minister  who  now  speaks, 
and  the  people  who  now  listen,  will  be  carried  to 
their  long  homes,  and  make  room  for  another  gene- 
ration. 

A  Christian's  Love  for  the  Sabbath. 

EVEEY  Sabbath  image,  and  every  Sabbath  circum- 
stance is  dear  to  him.  He  loves  the  quietness  of 
that  hallowed  morn.  He  loves  the  church-bell  sound, 
which  summons  him  to  the  house  of  prayer.  He 
loves  to  join  the  chorus  of  devotion,  and  to  sit  and 
listen  to  that  voice  of  persuasion  which  is  lifted  in 
the  hcarino-  of  an  assembled  multitude.  He  loves 
the  retirement  of  this  day  from  the  din  of  worldly 
])usiness,  and  the  inroads  of  worldly  men.  He  loves 
the  leisure  it  brinofs  alono-  with  it — and  sweet  to  his 
soul  is  the  exercise  of  that  hallowed  hour,  when 
there  is  no  eye  to  witness  him  but  the  eye  of  Heaven 
— and  when  in  solemn  audience  with  the  Father, 
who  seeth  him  in  secret;  he  can,  on  the  wings  of 
celestial  contemplation,  leave  all  the  cares,  and  all 
the  vexations,  and  all  the  sccularities  of  an  alienated 
world  behind  him. 


thomas  ciial^hers.  525 

Our  Great  High  Priest. 

(CONSIDER  Him  who  is  the  High  Priest  of  youi 
J  profession.  I  call  upon  you  ever  and  anon  to 
think  of  this  sacrifice — and  to  ward  oiT  the  legality 
of  nature  from  3^our  spirits,  by  a  constant  habit  of  re- 
currence, upon  your  part,  to  the  atonement  that  He 
hath  made,  and  to  the  everlasting  righteousness  that 
He  hath  brought  in.  Without  this,  the  mind  is  ever 
lapsing  anon  into  alienation  and  distrust — and  the  ha- 
bitual jealousy  of  guilt,  when  not  met,  at  all  times,  by 
a  sense  of  that  blood  which  w\ashes  it  away,  will  throw 
us  back  again  to  our  wonted  distance  from  God — and 
instead  of  breathing  the  free  air  of  confidence  in  Him, 
or  rejoicing  in  the  sunshine  of  His  reconciled  counte- 
nance, there  will  be  a  flaw  of  suspicion  m  all  our 
intercourse,  and  instead  of  loving  Him  as  a  friend, 
we  shall  still  stand  in  dread  of  Him  as  an  accuser. 
There  may  be  the  occasional  recognition  of  Christ, 
and,  perhaps,  along  with  it  a  gleam  of  light  and  of 
liberty.  Bat  the  general  state  will  be,  that  of  a 
mind  which  is  overcast.  And,  therefore,  to  keep  all 
clear,  and  habitually  clear,  w^ould  I  advise  a  regular 
forth-going  of  your  believing  thoughts,  to  the  great 
decease  that  was  accomplished  at  Jerusalem.  I  would 
have  you  to  look  unto  Jesus  Christ,  and  unto  Him  cru- 
cified, and  be  lightened  thereby.  Forget  not  that 
for  guilt  there  has  been  an  appropriate  remedy  pro- 
vided in  the  gospel — and  the  way  for  you  to  stand 
delivered  from  all  your  fears  of  its  vengeance  and 
its  agony,  is  to  think  of  the  vengeance  that  has 
ali'eady  been  poured  out,  and  of  the  agony  that  has 


526  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

already  been  endured  for  it.  Be  very  sure,  that 
when  justice  is  satisfied,  then  mercy,  set  at  large 
from  this  obstruction,  is  free  to  rejoice  over  you. 
And  justice  is  satisfied.  The  sufferings  of  the  Gar- 
den and  the  Cross,  have  absorbed  it  all — nor  after 
Christ  hath  poured  out  His  soul  unto  the  death  for 
you,  will  it  seek,  in  the  horrors  of  your  condemned 
eternity,  for  a  double  redress,  and  a  double  vindica- 
tion. O,  come  out  then,  from  the  prison  house  of 
despondency — and,  w^hen  you  think  of  your  sins, 
think  also  of  the  ransom  which  has  been  paid  for 
them.  On  the  strength  of  this,  do  make  your  reso- 
lute stand  against  the  spirit  of  bondage — and  looking, 
and  looking  hourly  unto  the  Victim  who  has  already 
bled  a  full  expiation,  do  uphold  yourself  in  the  con- 
fidence, that  sin  is  made  an  end  of,  that  transgression 
is  finished,  that  reconciliation  for  iniquity  is  made, 
and  that  now  the  believer,  released  from  captivity, 
may  walk  before  God  in  the  security  and  the  triumph 
of  an  everlasting  righteousness. 

Omnipresence  of  God. 

HIS  eye  is  upon  every  hour  of  my  existence. 
His  Spirit  is  intimately  present  with  every 
thought  of  my  heart.  His  inspiration  gives  birth  to 
every  purpose  within  me.  His  hand  impresses  a 
direction  on  every  footstep  of  my  goings.  Every 
breath  I  cnhale,  is  drawn  by  an  energy  which  God 
deals  out  to  me.  This  body,  which,  upon  the  slight- 
est derangement,  would  become  the  prey  of  death, 
or  of  woful  sufFerinir,  is  now  at  case,  because  He  at 


THOMAS    CIIALMElfS.  527 

this  moment  is  warding  off  from  me  a  thousand 
dangers,  and  upholding  the  thousand  movements  of 
its  complex  and  delicate  machinery.  His  presiding 
influence  keeps  by  me  through  the  whole  current  of 
my  restless  and  ever  changing  history.  When  I  walk 
l)y  the  w^ay  side,  He  is  along  with  me.  When  I  enter 
into  company,  amid  all  my  forgetfulness  of  Him,  He 
never  forgets  me.  In  the  silent  watches  of  the 
night,  when  my  eyelids  have  closed,  and  my  spirit 
has  sunk  into  unconsciousness,  the  observant  eye  of 
Him  who  never  slumbers,  is  upon  me.  I  cannot  fly 
from  His  presence.  Go  where  I  will,  He  tends  me, 
and  watches  me,  and  cares  for  me;  and  the  same 
Beinor  ^yho  is  now  at  work  in  the  remotest  domains 
of  nature  and  of  providence,  is  also  at  my  right 
hand  to  eke  out  to  me  every  moment  of  my  being, 
and  to  uphold  me  in  the  exercise  of  all  my  feelings, 
and  of  all  my  faculties. 

Prayers.     I. 

OGOD,  make  me  to  live  to  Thy  glory.  May  I  be 
clothed  with  the  armor  of  religion;  may  I  grow 
more  and  more  in  the  right  principles  and  practice 
of  Thy  Son's  gospel ;  and,  as  years  roll  over  me, 
may  I  withdraw  my  affections  from  time,  and  feel 
that  in  moving  through  the  world  I  am  moving 
toward  eternity. 


o 


528  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

II. 

God,  may  I  number  my  clays  so  as  to  apply  my 
heart  to  wisdom.  Grant  me  the  guidance  of 
Thy  Spirit,  and  the  joys  of  Thy  salvation.  May  my 
delight,  O  Lord,  be  in  Thy  law,  and  may  eternity 
be  ever  present  to  my  recollection  and  my  feelings. 
Time  is  short ;  and  as  years  revolve  over  me,  may  T 
learn  to  prize  as  the  truest  of  all  wisdom,  the  wis- 
dom of  the  gospel.  I  am  in  Thy  hand,  O  God.  If 
Thou  pleasest  to  add  another  year  to  my  pilgrimage 
below,  may  it  witness  my  progress  in  the  faith  and 
charity  of  the  New  Testament.  Make  me  to  feel  a 
clear  union  with  Thee  in  Christ.  May  I  taste  the 
joys  of  Thy  chosen,  and  rejoice  in  the  contemplation 
of  that  everlasting  crown  which  is  laid  up  for  all 
who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity  and  in  truth. 
May  I  be  faithful  in  the  duties  of  my  calling,  and 
may  the  care  of  the  souls  of  my  people  engross  more 
of  my  time  and  prayers  and  strenuous  application. 
All  I  ask  is  for  the  sake  of  Him  to  whom,  with  Thee 
and  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  give  all  the  praise  and  all  the 
glory.     Amen. 


REGINALD  HEBER,  D.  D. 
1783-1826. 

Life  Like  a  Kiver. 

IFE  bears  us  on  like  the  stream  of 
a  mighty  river.  Our  boat  at  first  goes 
down  the  mighty  channel — through  the 
playful  murmuring  of  the  little  brook, 
and  the  willows  upon  its  grassy  borders. 
The  trees  shed  their  blossoms  over  our  young 
heads,  the  flowers  on  the  brink  seem  to  offer  them- 
selves to  our  young  hands;  we  are  happy  in  hope, 
and  grasp  eagerly  at  the  beauties  around  us;  the 
stream  hurries  on,  and  still  our  hands  are  empty. 
Our  course  in  youth  and  in  manhood  is  along  a 
wider,  deeper  flood,  and  amid  objects  more  striking 
and  magnificent.  We  are  animated  by  the  moving 
picture  of  enjoyment  and  industry  passing  us;  we 
are  excited  by  our  short-lived  enjoyments.  The 
stream  bears  us  on,  and  joys  and  griefs  are  left  be- 
hind us.  We  may  be  shipwrecked,  but  we  cannot 
be  delayed ;  for,  rough  or  smooth,  the  river  hastens 
towards  its  home,  till  the  roar  of  the  ocean  is  in  our 
ears,  and  the  waves  beneatli  our  feet,  and  the  fioods 
are  lifted  up  around  us,  and  we  take  our  leave  of 

23 


530  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

earth  and  its  inhabitants,  until  of  our  further  voy- 
age there  is  no  witness  save  the  Infinite  and  Eternal. 

Earth  and  Heaven. 

T  PRAISED  the  sun^  whose  chariot  rolled 
-^  On  wheels  of  amber  and  of  gold ; 

I  praised  the  moon,  whose  softer  eye 

Gleamed  sweetly  through  the  summer  sky; 

And  moon  and  sun  in  answer  said, 

•'  Our  days  of  light  are  numbered.' 

0  God!  0  good  beyond  compare! 

If  thus  Thy  meaner  works  are  fair, 

If  thus  Thy  bounties  gild  the  span 

Of  ruined  earth  and  sinful  man, 

How  glorious  must  the  mansion  be, 

Where  Thy  redeemed  shall  dwell  with  Thee. 

Christ  is  Ours. 

HE  lived  as  well  as  died  for  us;  His  prayers  are 
ours;  ours  are  His  blameless  innocence  and 
purity;  it  was  our  nature  which  fasted  with  Him 
in  the  desert;  it  was  our  nature  which  was  trans- 
figured in  the  mount  with  Him;  it  was  our  nature  in 
which,  united  with  His  person,  and  inseparable  from 
Him  for  ever,  the  Almighty  Father  declared  Himself 
well  pleased!  In  Him  we  are  the  sons  of  God  once 
more,  and  the  heaven,  whither  He  is  gone  to  prepare 
a  place  for  us,  is  henceforward  not  only  His  but  our 
inheritance! 


O 


Fear  of  Death  Removed. 

H,  Saviour  of  the  faithful  dead, 
With  whom  Thy  servants  dwell. 

Though  cold  and  green  the  turf  is  spread 
Above  their  narrow  cell, — 


REGINALD    HEBETT.  531 


No  more  we  cling  to  mortal  clay, 
We  doubt  and  fear  no  more ; 

Nor  shrink  to  tread  the  darksome  way, 
Which  Thou  hast  trod  before. 


Our  Salvation  of  Grace. 

OUR  salvation  is  of  grace  alone,  inasmuch  as  our 
first  admission  into  the  covenant  of  peace  is 
without  any  previous  probation  of  virtue,  and,  in  the 
case  of  adult  converts,  in  spite  of  many  previous 
sins.  It  is  of  grace  inasmuch  as  the  services  which 
are  afterwards  required  from  us  have  no  aptitude  in 
themselves  to  call  down  reward  from  the  Most  High; 
and  are,  on  the  other  hand,  exclusively  calculated  to 
promote  our  own  happiness  and  the  happiness  of 
those  around  us.  It  is  of  grace,  since  to  the  per- 
formance of  these  very  services  the  strength  is  fur- 
nished from  above,  by  Him  who  not  only  calls  on  us 
to  hope,  but  bestows  on  us  the  spiritual  gifts  by  which 
that  hope  is  scaled  and  perfected.  It  is  of  free  grace, 
above  all,  and  as  it  respects  the  consummation  of 
our  Christian  warfare,  because  we  are  not  only  first 
freely  called  and  afterwards  freely  strengthened  to 
perform  the  obligations  of  our  calling;  but,  even 
where  we  have  neglected  and  transgressed  our  duty, 
the  repentance  and  the  faith  which  were,  at  first,  our 
only  passports  to  Christianity,  are  still  sufiered  to 
attend  us  and  plead  for  us,  and  by  the  same  merits 
of  the  Redeemer  through  which  we  were  justified 
and  sanctified  we  are  accepted  at  length  and  glorified. 


5:]2  DEVOTIONAL  THOUGHTS. 


Hymn  Before  the  Sacrament. 

T3READ  of  the  world,  in  mercy  broken! 
-^     Wine  of  the  soul,  in  mercy  shed; 

By  Avhom  the  words  of  life  were  spoken, 
And  in  whose  death  our  sins  are  dead! 

Look  on  the  heart  by  sorrow  broken, 
Look  on  the  tears  by  sinners  shed, 

And  be  Thy  feast  to  us  the  token 
That  by  Thy  grace  our  souls  are  fed! 


EDWARD  BICKERSTETH. 
1786-1850. 

Meditations  and  Peayees  on  the  Loed's  Suppee.    I. 


Pv»EAVENLY  Father!    grant   tliat   Thy 
'     ^    Holy  Spirit  may  bring  to  my  remem- 


brance all  that  which  Christ  did  for  me, 
whenever  I  go  to  His  table;  so  that  by 
the  eye  of  faith,  I  too  may  see  the  suffer- 
ing and  Glorified  Redeemer.  Blessed  Redeemer! 
I  desire  to  call  to  mind  Thy  glory  before  the  world 
was.  Thy  love  in  undertaking  the  work  of  our  re- 
demption, Thy  birth  of  a  lowly  virgin,  Thy  life  of 
sorrow,  Thy  shame  and  contempt.  Thy  rejection  by 
man.  Thy  bloody  sweat  and  agony,  Thy  crown  of 
thorns.  Thy  stripes,  the  nails  in  Thy  hands  and 
Thy  feet,  Thy  cross  and  all  Tliy  passion,  Thy  pain- 
ful death,  and  Thy  burial  in  the  tomb,  and  the  sin 
of  man  as  the  cause  of  these  Thy  humiliations  and 
sufferings.  O  how  unmeasurable  is  Thy  love!  It 
is  strong  as  death — many  loaters  cannot  quench  it.  It 
was  not  the  nails  that  fastened  Thee  to  the  cross, 
but  something  more  firm  and  binding;  Thy  love 
fixed  Thee  and  kept  Thee  there,  till  Thou  gavest  up 
the  ghost;  otherwise  every  fetter  that  man  could 
have  devised  would  have  been  utterly  unavailing. 


534  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

I  call  to  mind  yet  farther,  Thy  glorious  resurrection 
and  ascension,  Thy  leading  captivity  captive,  and  re- 
ceiving gifts  for  men,  Thy  sitting  at  the  right  hand 
of  the  Father,  Thy  meditation,  the  future  judgment, 
and  the  glory  yet  to  come;  and  recalling  these  things 
to  mind,  may  I  afresh  learn  to  hate  and  flee  from 
every  sin,  to  trust  in  Thee,  and  prepare  to  meet  Thee. 
Thus  may  my  hope  of  being  with  Thee  for  ever,  be 
enlivened  and  established,  and  thus  may  my  affec- 
tions towards  Thee  and  man  be  afresh  enkindled  and 
enlarged. 

n. 

G1  OD  has  graciously  promised,  Ask,  and  ye  shall 
\  have.  I  believe  His  promise,  and  while  wait- 
ing on  Him  at  His  table,  would  now  implore  His 
grace. 

Lord !  I  wait  for  the  increase  of  faith.  Lord, 
help  me  more  clearly  to  apprehend  divine  truths, 
and  to  be  more  distinct  and  firm  in  my  assurance  of 
them.  I  desire  to  attend  at  Thy  table  with  a  lively 
faith  in  the  merits  of^my  Redeemer.  I  would  look 
up  to  Jesus,  and  trust  in  Him  with  entire  and  full 
confidence,  as  having  ransomed  me  from  sin  and 
death,  and  procured  for  me  life  and  salvation  with- 
His  own  precious  blood.  O  give  me  faith  to  trust 
solely  in  Thy  mercy  through  Christ  for  acceptance, 
and  earnestly  to  look  for  the  aid  of  the  Spirit,  to 
teach  and  to  purify  me. 

Lord,  I  wait  to  receive  strength  to  overcome  my 
spiritual  enemies,     I  know  myself  to  be  weak,  help- 


EDWARD    BICKEKSTETH.  535 

less,  and  insufficient  for  any  good  work.  But  if  I 
abide  in  Christ,  He  has  said  that  I  shall  bear  much 
fruit.  Through  this  ordinance  let  me  be  drawn  near 
to  Him,  and  led  to  abide  more  in  Him,  so  that  my 
affections  to  the  world  maybe  deadened,  and- my 
whole  soul  may  be  refreshed  and  strengthened. 

Lord,  I  wait  hungering  and  thirsting  for  Thy  sal- 
vation, in  all  its  grace  and  fullness.  O  that  the  blood 
of  Christ  may  speak  peace  to  my  troubled  heart ! 
O  that  the  gladdening  light  of  Thy  countenance  may 
shine  on  me,  and  the  sense  of  Thy  peculiar  presence 
be  felt  in  my  heart !  O  that  here  I  may  clearly  see 
that  Christ  is  mine  and  I  am  His — that  the  Holy 
Spirit  may  be  largely  given  unto  me,  and  I  may 
have  a  full  assurance  of  hope  that  my  sins  are  par- 
doned and  my  soul  is  saved. 

Lord,  I  wait  for  the  spirit  of  adoption.  I  would 
come  to  Thy  table  as  a  cliild  goes  to  an  affectionate 
and  tender  parent,  feeling  that  Thou  hast  a  father's 
love  to  me.  and  having  the  tempers  and  disposition 
of  a  loving  child  towards  Thee.  O  give  me  a  filial, 
even  a  confiding,  reverential,  loving  and  obedient 
spirit.  Let  me  look  up  to  Thee,  my  Heavenly 
Father,  for  the  bread  of  life,  in  full  assurance  that 
Thou  wilt  not  send  me  away  empty. 

Now  Lord,  truly  my  ho^e  is  in  Theeiox  the  supply 
of  all  my  spiritual  wants.  Give  me  that  which  Thou 
seest  w^ould  be  good  for  me:  and  thus  shall  I  bo 
blessed  not  only  now,  but  all  my  life  long,  and  in 
death,  and  through  eternity. 


530  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

III. 

HOW  full  of  love,  even  to  the  end,  was  cm 
adorable  Lord  !  The  last  words  sounding  ir 
the  ears  of  His  disciples  was  a  blessing.  He  as 
cended  to  heaven  blessing  them,  and  is  still  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.  O  ascended  Saviour, 
may  my  heart  rise  whither  Thou  art  gone;  and  now 
Christ  is  gone  to  heaven,  may  my  affections  be  set 
on  things  above.  /  hioiv  that  my  Redeemer  liveth. 
This  is  a  blessed  confidence  that  can  support  the  soul 
in  the  severest  trials.  He  makes  Himself  known  too 
in  the  breaking  of  bread.  I  would  not  then  only 
remember  His  death;  but  looking  at  His  ascension, 
see  the  power  given  to  Him,  mark  the  gifts  which 
He  has  received,  dwell  upon  the  work  which  He  is 
now  carrying  on,  and  daily  come  to  Him,  and  hold 
communion  with  Him. 

Remember,  too,  O  my  soul,  this  same  Jesus  which 
was  thus  taken  up  into  heaven^  shall  so  come  in  like 
manner  as  He  was  seen  going  into  heaven.  Now  at 
His  table,  I  profess  my  expectation  of  His  coming 
again.  O  may  I  be  always  ready  for  that  day.  The 
Lord  in  mercy  grant  that  this  sacred  Institution  may 
raise  my  heart  to  my  ascended  Saviour,  and  lead  me 
to  look,  and  diligently  prepare  for.  His  second  com- 
ing. 

IV. 

LORD  Jesus,  help  Thou  me  to  take  up  my  cross 
and  follow  Thee;  all  blessings  come  in  faith 
and  self-sacrifice;  all  evils  come  in  self-confidence  and 


EDWAKD   BICKEHSTETH.  537 

self-indulgence.  My  Saviour,  then  grant  me  Thy 
grace,  for  the  residue  of  my  days;  be  it  many  years, 
be  it  one  year,  or  be  it  but  the  present  day,  to  deny 
myself,  and  live  to  Ilim  who  has  redeemed  me  with 
His  blood,  feeling  my  own  weakness,  and  not  looking 
to  a  season  of  rest  below ^  but  above;  not  calculatinor 
on  a  time  of  enjoyment  on  earth,  but  preparing  for 
it  in  heaven. 

Help  me  also  to  maintain  to  the  end  of  the  conflict; 
looking  forward  to  that  crown  of  life  which  Thou 
hast  promised  to  Thy  faithful  soldiers. 

I  turn  to  Thee,  Thou  blessed  Eedeemer.  I  turn 
from  myself  where  all  is  polluted  and  wretched,  to 
that  gracious  Saviour,  where  all  is  compassion,  and 
love,  and  tenderness;  wdiere  is  a  full  atonement  for 
enemies  and  rebels,  a  rich  provision  of  mercy  for  the 
sinful,  a  complete  salvation  for  the  lost.  O  Jesus, 
pity,  save,  and  bless  my  sonl.  Strengthen  me  for 
every  dut3^  that  lies  before  me.  In  nothing  can  I 
claim  blessings,  but  in  Thy  free  promises  and  Thy 
full  redemption.  May  I  then  delight  in  Thee,  and 
walk  closely  with  Thee  every  day.  Draw  me,  and 
I  will  run  after  Thee. 

V. 

WHERE  can  I  fly,  O  Jesus  !  where,  but  to  Thee? 
In  Thy  wounds  I  hide  me.  At  Thy  cross  I 
shelter  me.  There  iniquity  is  pardoned ;  there  the 
transgression  of  the  remnant  of  Thy  heritage  is 
passed  by. 

But  now,  O  God,  my  Saviour,  I  entreat  Thee,  suh- 

23* 


538  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

due  my  iniquities.  Only  Thine  almighty  arm  can 
vanquish  them.  I  look  to  Thee  for  victory.  Fight 
for  me,  fight  in  me;  that  I  may  be  more  than  con- 
queror, through  Him  that  loved  me. 

VI. 

OLORD,  I  wouldnow,  in  the  fullness  of  my  heart, 
earnestly  pray  for  the  hallowing  of  Thy  name, 
the  coming  of  Thy  kingdom,  and  the  doing  of  Thy 
will  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.  And  O  grant  that, 
till  the  Lord  come,  His  table  ma}^  be  crowded  with 
believing  and  joyful  guests.  O  when  shall  all  the 
ends  of  the  earth  look  to  Jesus  and  be  saved  I  Has- 
ten it  in  Thy  good  pleasure,  O  Lord ;  that  Christ 
Jesus  may  be  known,  loved,  and  obeyed,  in  every 
land,  and  the  Lord's  name  be  praised  from  the 
rising  of  the  sun  to  the  going  down  of  the  same. 
Thus  glorify  Thy  great  name,  fulfill  Thy  gracious 
promises,  and  let  Thy  kingdom  be  fully  established 
through  Jesus  Christ,  our  only  Redeemer.     Amen. 


WILLIAM  NEVmS,  D.  D. 
1797-1835. 

Heaven. 

REST  remaineth  to  tlie  people  of 
God.  The  meanest  saint  shall  enjoy  it. 
The  moment  he  shall  put  off  this  robe  of 
mortality,  the  mantle  of  Elijah's  God 
shall  descend  and  cover  him. 
This  world  is  to  heaven,  what  the  inn  upon  the 
road  is  to  the  home  at  the  end  of  it. 

God  is  everywhere,  but  not  so  manifestly  in  all 
places  as  He  is  in  some  select  places.  He  is  every- 
where, but  His  Shekinah  is  not  everywhere.  He 
does  not  reveal  Himself  ever^^ where.  The  glory  of 
the  Lord  filled  the  ancient  temple,  but  it  dwelt 
peculiarly  and  visibly  above  the  mercy-seat,  in-  the 
most  holy  place.  The  glory  of  God  fills  the  earth, 
but  there  are  localities  in  the  universe  where  it  shines 
forth  with  peculiar  splendor.  God  is  everywhere, 
but  His  '  presence,  where  there  is  fullness  of  joy,'  is 
not  everywhere.     Heaven  is  not  merely  a  state. 

Grace  is  the  inftincy  of  glory — glory  the  maturity 
of  grace.  Grace  is  the  head  of  glory — glory  the 
ripe  fruit  of  grace. 


540  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

How  glorious  and  happy  a  place  heaven  must  be, 
into  which  there  shall  nothing  enter  that  defileth. 
There  we  shall  never,  never  sin.  Oh!  it  is  the  grand 
recommendation  of  heaven,  that  there  there  is  no 
siu.  The  cause  not  being  there,  none  of  the  effects 
will  be  there — no  natural  evil,  because  no  moral 
evil;  no  debility,  deformity,  disease,  ache,  pain,  per- 
turbation, fear,  anguish,  nor  sadness.  No  tear  shall 
fall,  no  blood  be  spilt,  no  separation  occur,  no  be- 
reavement be  felt,  no  disappointment,  no  satiety,  no 
death. 

Heaven's  Attractions. 

I  HAVE  been  thinking  of  the  attractions  of  hea- 
ven— what  there  is  in  heaven  to  draw  souls  to  it. 
I  thought  of  the  jplace.  Heaven  has  place.  Christ 
says  to  His  disciples,  '  I  go  to  prepare  a  jplace  for 
you.'  It  is  a  part  of  the  consolation  with  which  He 
comforts  them,  that  heaven  is  a  place,  and  not  a 
mere  state.  What  a  place  it  must  be  !  Selected  out 
of  all  the  locations  of  the  universe — the  chosen  spot 
of  space.  We  see,  even  on  earth,  places  of  great 
beauty,  and  we  can  conceive  of  spots  far  more 
delightful  than  any  we  see.  But  what  comparison 
can  these  bear  to  heaven,  where  every  thing  exceeds 
whatever  eye  has  seen,  or  imagination  conceived  ? 
The  earthly  paradise  must  have  been  a  charming 
spot.  But  what  that  to  the  heavenly  ?  What  the 
paradise  assigned  to  the  first  Adam,  who  was  of  the 
earth,  earthy,  compared  with  that  purchased  by  the 
second  Adam,  who  is  the  Lord  from  heaven  ?     It  is 


WILLIAM    NEVINS.  541 

a  'purchased  possession.'  The  price  it  cost  the 
purchaser,  every  one  knows.  Now,  having  pur- 
chased it,  He  has  gone  to  prepare  it — to  set  it  in 
order — to  la}^  out  His  skilLupon  it.  O  what  a  place 
Jesus  will  make,  has  already  made  heaven !  The 
place  should  attract  us. 

Then  I  thought  of  the  freedom  of  the  place  from 
the  evils  of  earth.  Not  only  what  is  in  heaven, 
should  attract  us  to  it,  but  what  is  not  there.  And 
what  is  not  there  ?  There  is  no  nigf/d  there.  Who 
does  not  want  to  go  where  no  night  is  ?  No  night, 
no  natural  night — none  of  its  darkness,  its  damps, 
its  dreariness  ;  and  no  moral  night — no  ignorance — 
no  error — no  misery — no  sin.  These  all  belong  to 
the  night :  and  there  is  no  ni^rht  in  heaven.  And 
why  no  night  there  ?  What  shines  there  so  per- 
petually ?  It  is  not  any  natural  luminary.  It  is  a 
moral  radiance  that  lights  up  heaven.  '  The  glory 
of  God  doth  lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light 
thereof.'  No  need  have  they  there  of  other  light. 
This  shines  everywhere,  and  on  all.  All  light  is 
sweet,  but  no  light  is  like  this. 

And  not  only  no  night  there,  but  '  no  more  ciirseJ 
Christ  redeemed  them  from  the  curse  of  the  law, 
beinfy  made  a  curse  for  them.  And  '  no  more  death.'' 
The  last  enemy  is  overcome  at  last.  Each,  as  he 
enters  the  place,  shouts  victoriously,  '  O  death,  O 
grave  ! '  '  Neither  sori'ow.'  It  is  Jiere.  O  yes  it  is 
here — around,  within.  We  hear  it ;  w^e  see  it ;  and 
at  length  we  feel  it.  But  it  is  not  there.  'Nor 
crying^ — no   expression    of  grief.      'Neither  shall 


542  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

there  be  any  more  pain;  for  the  former  things  are 
passed  away.'  And  what  becomes  of  tears  9  Are 
they  left  to  dry  up  ?  Nay,  God  ivipes  them  away. 
And  this  is  a  sure  sign  they  will  never  return. — 
What  shall  cause  weeping  when  He  wipes  away 
tears  ? 

I  have  not  said  that  there  is  no  sin  in  heaven.  I 
have  not  thought  that  necessary.  If  sin  was  there, 
niofht  would  be  there,  and  the  curse  and  death  and 
all  the  other  evils — the  train  of  sin.  These  are  not 
there ;  therefore  sin  is  not.  No,  *  we  shall  be  like 
Him  ;  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is.' 

What  is  there,  then,  since  these  are  not  ?  Day  is 
there ;  and  there  is  the  blessing  that  maketh  rich ; 
and  there  is  life,  immortality  ;  and  since  no  sorrow, 
joy — 'fullness  of  joy — joy  unspeakable,'  and  smiles 
where  tears  were  :  and  there  they  rest^  not  from 
their  labors  only,  but  from  cares  and  doubts  and 
fears.  And  glory  i^  there,  an  '  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight.' 

Then  I  thought  of  the  society.  It  is  composed  of 
the  elite  of  the  universe.  The  various  orders  of 
angels  who  kept  their  first  estate — as  humble  as  they 
are  high — not  ashamed  of  men.  Why  should  they 
be,  when  the  Lord  of  angels  is  not  ashamed  to  call 
us  brethren  ?  The  excellent  of  the  earth  also — all  the 
choice  spirits  of  every  age  and  nation;  the  first  man; 
the  first  martyr;  the  translated  patriarch;  the  survivor 
of  the  deluge;  the  friend  of  God,  and  his  juniors,  Isaac 
and  Israel ;  Moses  the  lawgiver,  and  Joshua  the 
leader  of  the  host ;  the  pious  kings  ;  the  prophets  j 


WILLIAM   KEVINS.  543 

the  evangelists  and  apostles,  Paul,  John  ;  the  mar- 
tyrs ;  the  reformers ;  the  Puritan  fathers  ;  the  mis- 
sionaries SAvartz,  Brainercl,  Martyn — Carey  and  Mor- 
rison have  just  gone  up  ;  and  the  young  brothers 
who  ascended  from  Sumatra — and  another  connected 
with  missions,  Wisner,  has  been  suddenly  sent  for  to 
heaven. 

Is  that  all  ?  Where  is  he  who  used  to  lisp,  '  fa- 
ther, mother  ' — thy  child  ?  Passing  out  of  your 
hands,  passed  he  not  into  those  of  Jesus  ?  Yes,  you 
suffered  him.  If  any  other  than  Jesus  had  said, 
'  Suffer  them  to  come  to  me,'  you  would  have  said. 
No.  Death  does  not  quench  those  recently  struck 
sparks  of  intelligence.  Jesus  is  not  going  to  lose 
one  of  those  little  brilliants.  All  shall  be  in  His 
crown. 

Perhaps  thou  hast  a  brother  or  a  sister  there  ;  that 
should  draw  you  towards  heaven.  Perhaps  a  mother 
— she  whose  eye  wept  while  it  watched  over  thee, 
until  at  length  it  grew  dim,  and  closed.  Took  she 
not  in  her  cold  hand  thine,  while  yet  her  heart  was 
warm,  and  said  she  not,  '  I  am  going  to  Jesus.  Fol- 
low me  there  ? '  Perhaps  one  nearer,  dearer  than 
child,  than  brother,  than  mother — the  nearest,  dearest 
is  there.  Shall  I  say  who  ?  Christian  female,  thy 
husband.  Christian  father,  the  young  mother  of  thy 
babes.  He  is  not — she  is  not ;  for  God  took  them. 
Has  heaven  no  attractions  ? 

Heaven  is  gaining  in  attractions  every  day.  True, 
the  principal  attractions  continue  the  same.  But  the 
lesser  ones  multiply.     Some .  have  attractions  there 


544  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

now,  which  they  had  not  but  a  few  months  ago. — 
Earth  is  losing.  How  fast  it  has  been  losing  of  late. 
But  earth's  losses  are  heaven's  gains.  They  who 
have  left  so  many  dwelling-places  of  earth  desolate, 
have  o-one  to  their  Father's  house  in  heaven.  What 
if  they  shall  not  return  to  us,  we  shall  go  to  them. 
That  is  better. 

But  the  principal  attractions  I  have  not  yet  men- 
tioned. There  is  our  Father,  our  heavenly  Father, 
whom  we  have  so  often  addressed  as  such  in  prayer  : 
He  that  nourished  and  brought  us  up,  and  has  borne 
us  on;  He  that  has  watched  over  us  with  an  eye  that 
never  sleeps,  and  provided  for  us  with  a  hand  that 
never  tires  ;  and  who  can  pity  too.  We  have  never 
seen  our  Heavenly  Father.  But  there  He  reveals  Hmi- 
sclf  There  He  smiles;  and  the  nations  of  the  saved 
walk  in  the  lisrht  of  His  countenance. 

And  there  is  He,  to  depart  and  be  with  whom 
Paul  desired,  as  being  '  far  better'  than  to  live. 
Tlicre  is  His  glorified  humanity.  If  not  having  seen, 
\vc  love  Him  ;  and  in  Him,  though  now  wx  see  Him 
not,  yet  believing,  we  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory,  what  will  be  the  love  and  the  joy 
Avhen  '  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is  V     There  is  He. 

Heaven  lias  attractions,  many  and  strong — and  yet 
Avho  would  think  it  ?  How  few  feel  and  obey  the 
heavenly  attraction  !  Hoav  much  more  powerfully 
earth  acts  upon  us!  How  unwilling  we  are  to  leave 
it  even  for  heaven. 


william  nevins.  545 

The  Saint  Near  to  Heaven. 

THERE  shall  be  but  a  step  between  him  and  it. 
Some  are  as  near  as  all  that  to  heaven.  It  is 
not  a  day's  journey  there.  It  is  but  to  take  a  step, 
and,  follower  of  Jesus,  thou  art  where  no  night  is, 
and  no  sound  of  moaning  is  heard,  and  every  tear  is 
wiped  away.  So  near  to  heaven!  How  frequent 
then  and  fond  should  be  your  thoughts  of  it.  All 
so  near  !  Then  '  what  manner  of  persons  ought  we 
to  be  in  all  holy  conversation  and  godliness!'  How 
carefully  and  circumspectly  ought  they  to  W' alk  w^hose 
path  lies  along  such  a  brink ! 

And  since  the  end  of  all  our  opportunities  is  as 
near  as  death,  whatever  our  minds  meditate,  or  our 
hands  find  to  do,  for  our  own  souls,  for  the  good  of 
others,  or  for  the  glory  of  God,  let  us  do  it  with  our 
mischt. 

CD 

Christ's  Love  and  that  of  the  Christian. 

OHOW  different  Christ's  love  to  us,  from  ours  to 
Him!  We  have  not  to  ask  Him  if  He  loves  us. 
If  any  one  should  ever  ask  that  question  of  Jesus, 
He  would  say,  '  Behold  my  hands  and  my  feet.'  He 
bears  on  His  very  body  the  marks  of  His  love  to  us. 
But  what  have  we  to  point  to  as  proofs  of  our  love 
to  Him?  What  has  it  done  for  Him;  what  suffered? 
O,  the  contrast!  His  love  so  strong,  ours  so  wxak; 
His  so  ardent,  ours  so  cold;  His  so  constant,  ours  so 
fickle;  His  so  active,  ours  so  indolent.  So  fngh,  so 
deep,  so  long,  so  broad  His  love,  its  dimensions  can- 


546  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

not  be  comprehended,  it  passeth  knowledge;  while 
ours  is  so  limited  and  so  minute,  it  eludes  research. 

'■  Dear  Lord,  and  shall  we  ever  live 
At  this  poor  dying  rate ; 
Our  love  so  faint,  so  cold  to  Thee, 
And  Thine  to  us  so  great?' 

Sympathy  of  Cheist  for  the  Believee. 

O  THINK  that  He,  in  all  thy  sorrows,  pities  thee. 
Yes,  thy  God  feels  for  thee.  Thy  sufferings 
go  to  His  heart.  There  is  One  in  heaven  who,  from 
that  exaltation,  looks  down  upon  thee;  and  the  eye 
that  watches  over  you  wept  for  you  once,  and  would, 
if  it  had  tears,  weep  for  you  again.  He  knoweth 
your  frame.  He  remembereth  that  you  are  dust. 
He  will  not  break  the  bruised  reed,  nor  quench  the 
smoking  flax.  It  was  He  who,  when  His  disciples 
had  nothing  to  say  for  themselves,  made  that  kind 
apology  for  them,  '  The  spirit  is  willing  but  the 
flesh  is  weak.'  He  can  be  touched  with  the  feeling 
of  all  your  infirmities.  You  may  cast  all  your  cares 
on  Him,  for  He  careth  for  you.  All  through  this 
vale  of  tears,  you  may  rest  assured  of  His  sympathy, 
and  Av^hen  the  vale  of  tears  declines  into  the  vallev 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  not  His  sympathy  only  will 
you  have,  but  His  inspiriting  presence  and  His  timely 
succor.  And  after  that,  what  will  not  his  bounty  be 
whose  pity  has  been  so  great?  When  there  is  no 
longer  any  occasion  for  pity — when  misery  is  no 
more,  and  sighing  has  ceased,  and  God's  hand  has 
for  the  last  time  passed  across  your  weeping  eyes, 
and  wiped  away  the  final  tear,  what  then  will  be  the 
riches  of  His  munificence? 


WILLIAM  JAY. 
1769-1853. 

The  Bible. 

OYE  and  study  the  Scriptures.  He 
that  avoids  reading  a  j)ortion  of  them 
daily,  forsakes  his  own  mercy ;  and  is  so 
far  regardless  of  his  safety,  welfare,  and 
comfort.  Therefore  'bind  them  contin- 
ually upon  thine  heart,  and  tie  them  about  thy 
neck.  When  thou  goest,  it  shall  lead  thee;  when 
thou  sleej)est,  it  shall  keep  thee ;  and  when  thou 
awakest,  it  shall  talk  with  thee.  For  the  command- 
ment is  a  lamp ;  and  the  law  is  light ;  and  reproofs 
of  instruction  are  the  way  of  life.' 

Precious  Bible!  like  thy  blessed  Author,  our 
sun  and  our  shield,  thou  giver  of  grace  and  glory, 
thou  conductor  through  all  this  gloomy  vale  to  our 
everlasting  home,  how  many  advantages  have  we 
already  derived  from  thee !  Thou  hast  often  solved 
our  doubts,  and  wiped  away  our  tears.  Thou  hast 
been  sweeter  to  our  taste  than  honey  and  the  honey- 
comb. Thou  hast  been  better  to  us,  in  our  dis- 
tresses, than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  Unless 
thou  hadst  been  our  dehght,  we  should  have  per- 
ished in  our  affliction. 


548  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

No  wonder  Job  'esteemed  thee  more  than  his 
necessary  food.'  No  wonder  David  chose  thee  as 
his  heritage  forever,  and  found  thee  to  be  the  rejoic- 
ing of  his  heart.  No  wonder  the  noble  army  of 
martyrs  parted  with  their  estates  and  with  their 
blood,  rather  than  with  thee.  May  we  value  thee 
as  our  richest  jewel;  may  we  love  thee  as  our  dear- 
est good;  may  we  consult  thee  as  our  surest  coun- 
sel! oi*;  may  we  follow  thee  as  our  safest  rule  1 

Death  of  Christian  Friends. 

LET  us  remember  that  when  no  longer  visible  to 
us,  they  are  not  lost.  They  have  reached  their 
Father's  house.  They  are  disposed  of  infinitely  to 
their  advantaire.  And  this  should  subdue  the  selfish- 
ness  of  our  grief  If  we  love  them,  we  ought  to 
rejoice  in  their  promotion. 

We  have  no  distinct  assurance  that  they  are  ac- 
quainted with  our  circumstances,  or  can  employ 
themselves  for  our  welfare — ^^^et  for  us  they  languish, 
and  for  us  they  die.  We  may  improve  their  removal; 
it  should  draw  us  away  from  earth,  and  attach  us  the 
more  to  heaven.  And  thus  their  going  away  will  be 
for  our  welfare.  When  we  lose  the  lives  of  our 
friends,  we  should  be  careful  not  to  lose  their  deaths 
too. 

They  will  not  come  to  receive  us  to  themselves; 
but  they  will  welcome  us  when  we  enter  their  ever- 
lasting habitations.  The  separation  is  temporary. 
A  time  of  re-union  will  come.  We  shall  see  their 
faces,  and  hear  their  voices  again  in  the  flesh.     O 


WILLIAM    JAY.  549 

cheerful  consolation !  how  suitable,  and  how  sure  ! 
'  I  would  not  have  you  to  be  ignorant,  brethren, 
concerning  them  which  are  asleep,  that  ye  sorrow 
not,  even  as  others  which  have  no  hope,  For  if  we 
believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them 
also  w^hich  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  Him. 
For  this  we  say  unto  you  by  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
that  we  which  are  alive  and  remain  unto  the  comins: 
of  the  Lord  shall  not  prevent  them  which  are  asleep. 
For  the  Lord  Himself  shall  descend  from  heaven 
with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and 
with  the  trump  of  God:  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall 
rise  first:  then  we  which  are  alive  and  remain  shall 
be  caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds,  to 
meet  the  Lord  in  the  air:  and  so  shall  we  ever  be 
with  the  Lord.  Wherefore  comfort  one  another  with 
these  words.' 

On  Pkayer. 
T3RAYER  is  the  breathing  of  the  desire  towards 
JL  God.  Words  are  not  essential  to  the  perform- 
ance of  it.  As  words  may  be  used  without  prayer, 
so  prayer  may  be  used  without  words;  He  that  search- 
eth  the  heart  '  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of  the 
Spirit;'  and  when  we  cannot  command  language  like 
some  of  our  fellow-christians,  it  is  well  to  be  able  to 
say,  '  Lord,  all  my  desire  is  before  Thee,  and  my 
groaning  is  not  hid  from  Thee.' 

The  expediency,  the  necessity  of  prayer,  results 
from  our  indigent  and  dependent  state.  We  have 
enemies  to  overcome — and  liow  are  wo  to  conquer 


550  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

them?  we  have  trials  to  endure — and  how  are  we  to 
bear  them?  We  have  duties  to  accomplish — and 
how  are  we  to  perform  them?  We  need  mercy  and 
grace  to  help  us — and  how  are  we  to  obtain  them? 
God  has  determined  and  revealed  the  method  in 
which  He  will  communicate  the  blessings  He  has  prom- 
ised. '  For  all  these  things  will  I  be  enquired  of  by 
the  house  of  Israel.  Draw  nigh  to  God,  and  He  will 
draw  nigh  to  you.  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  to  you; 
seek,  and  ye  shall  find.'  And,  as  He  is  a  Sovereign, 
and  under  no  obligation  to  favor  us  at  all,  He  has 
surely  a  right  to  appoint  the  way  in  w^hich  He  will 
be  gracious;  but,  in  this  appointment.  His  wisdom 
appears  as  conspicuous  as  His  sovereignty;  and  His 
goodness  as  clearly  as  His  wisdom.  Nothing  can  be 
so  beneficial  to  us  as  prayer  is,  not  only  by  the  relief 
it  obtains,  but  by  the  influence  it  exerts;  not  only  by 
its  answers,  but  by  its  energy.  Beyond  every  thing 
else  that  is  instrumental  in  religion,  it  improves  our 
characters,  it  strengthens  our  graces,  it  softens  and 
refines  our  tempers,  it  contributes  to  our  spirituality, 
and  promotes  our  holiness.  The  more  we  have  to 
do  with  God,  the  more  we  shall  resemble  Him.  '  It 
is  therefore  good  for  us  to  draw  near  to  Him.' 

A  Fajviily  Peayer  for  the  Morning. 

OLORD  I  Thou  art  good,  and  Thou  doest  good. 
Thou  hast  revealed  Thyself  as  nigh  unto  all 
that  call  upon  Thee — to  all  that  call  upon  Thee  in 
truth.  May  we  who  now  address  Thee  be  found 
the  heirs  of  this  promise;  nor  suffer  us  to  incur  the 


WILLIAM    JAY.  551 

reproach  of  drawing  near  to  Thee  with  the  mouth, 
and  honoring  Thee  with  our  lips,  while  our  hearts 
are  far  from  Thee.  Unite  our  hearts  to  fear  Thy 
name;  and  grant  that  we  may  worship  Thee  in  the 
Spirit,  and  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  have  no  con- 
fidence in  the  flesh.  We  remember  that  we  are  sin- 
ners, and  acknowledge  the  multitude  and  aggrava- 
tions of  our  ofiences.  Conscious  not  only  of  the 
reality,  but  the  greatness  of  our  guilt,  w^e  could 
indulge  no  hope,  hadst  not  Thou  exhibited  Thine 
infinite  benevolence,  and  revealed  a  Mediator,  in 
whom  Thou  art  reconciling  the  world  unto  Thyself, 
not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them. 

Thou  hast  not  left  Thyself  without  witness,  in  that 
Thou  hast  been  doing  us  good,  and  giving  us  rain 
from  heaven  and  fruitful  seasons,  filling  our  hearts 
with  food  and  gladness.  But  herein  is  love;  not 
that  we  loved  God,  but  that  He  loved  us,  and  sent 
His  Son  to  be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins.  Blessed 
be  Thy  name,  we  have  all  the  certainty  we  could 
desire,  that  with  Thee  there  is  mercy.  That  mercy 
the  publican  sought,  and — found  :  that  mercy — has 
never  disappointed  any  that  trusted  in  it :  that  mercy 
— at  this  very  moment  cries  to  us.  Ask  and  it  shall 
be  given  you^  seek  and  ye  shall  find.  O  Lord,  we 
avail  ourselves  of  Thine  invitation,  and  plead  Thy 
promise !  According  to  the  multitude  of  Thy  ten- 
der mercies  blot  out  our  transgressions.  Create  in  us 
also  a  clean  heart,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  us. 

We  hope  we  arc  convinced  that  while  many  things 
are  desirable  and  some  useful,  one  thing  is  needful; 


552  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

and  that  instead  of  the  inquiry,  What  shall  I  eat, 
and  what  shall  I  drink,  and  wherewithal  shall  I  be 
clothed?  the  supreme  anxiousness  of  our  soul  is, 
What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  O  visit  us  with  Thy 
salvation,  in  the  illumination  of  the  mind,  and  the 
sanctification  of  the  life;  in  all  the  comforts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  in  all  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  May 
we  willingly  obey  all  Thy  commands,  and  cheerfully 
submit  to  all  Thy  appointments.  In  the  annihilation 
of  self-will,  and  in  the  temper  of  implicit  devote d- 
ness,  may  we  as  to  every  duty  say:  Lord,  what  wilt 
Thou  have  me  to  do  ?  And  as  to  every  event:  Here 
I  am,  let  Him  do  what  seemeth  Him  good.  Grant 
us  piety  and  wisdom  to  accommodate  ourselves  to 
the  allotments  of  life;  and  enable  us  to  maintain  a 
Christian  temper  and  behavior  in  all  the  changing 
scenes  of  providence,  that  all  things  may  work  to- 
gether, if  not  for  our  gratification,  yet  for  our  good. 

May  we  disengage  ourselves  from  the  present  evil 
Avorld,  and  be  received  and  acknowledged  as  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  the  Lord  Almighty.  May  the 
righteous  be  our  attraction  and  delight;  and  though 
few  in  number,  and  despised  by  the  foolish  and 
wicked,  may  we  go  with  them,  because  God  is  with 
them;  and,  like  Moses,  may  we  choose  rather  to 
suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  God  than  enjoy 
the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season. 

May  we  w^alk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight.  May 
we  weigh  both  worlds,  and  may  the  future  and  the 
eternal  preponderate.  May  this  be  our  growing 
experience  as  well  as  profession — As  for  me,  I  will 


WILLIA.^i    JAY.  553 

behold  Thy  face  in  righteousness;  I  shall  be  satisfied 
when  I  awake  with  Thy  likeness. 

By  Thy  mercies  we  renew  this  morning  the  conse- 
cration of  ourselves  to  Thy  service.  Go  forth  with 
us  into  the  concerns  of  the  day.  Keep  us  in  all  our 
ways.  Innumerable  are  our  dangers;  but  the  great- 
est of  all  is  sin.  Uphold  our  goings  therefore  in 
Thy  word,  and  let  no  iniquity  have  dominion  over 
us.  May  we  abstain  from  all  appearance  of  evil : 
and  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  us  wholly  :  and 
may  our  whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body  be  pre- 
served blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

And  to  God  only  wise,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  be  ascribed  all  honor  and  praise  for 
ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

A  Family  Praier  for  the  Evening. 

OGOD  !  Thy  greatness  is  unsearchable.  Thy 
name  is  most  excellent  in  all  the  earth.  Thou 
hast  set  Thy  glory  above  the  heavens.  Thousands 
minister  unto  Thee,  and  ten  thousand  times  ten  thou- 
sand stand  before  Thee.  We  feel  ourselves  in  Thine 
awful  presence  to  be  nothing,  less  than  nothing,  and 
vanity  :  nor  do  Ave  presume  to  approach  Thee  because 
we  are  deserving  of  Thy  notice — for  we  have  sinned — 
we  have  incurred  Thy  righteous  displeasure — we 
acknowledge  that  Thou  art  justified  when  Thou 
speakest,  and  clear  when  Thou  judgest. 

But  our  necessities  compel  us;  and  Thy  promises 
encourao'c  us.     Thou  art  nioh  unto  them  that  are  of 

24  " 


554  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

a  broken  heart,  and  savest  such  as  be  of  a  contrite 
spirit.  Thou  hast  provided  and  revealed  a  Mediator, 
who  has  not  only  obeyed,  but  magnified  the  law  and 
made  it  honorable;  and  Thou  hast  made  us  accepted 
in  the  Beloved.  And  we  behold  an  innumerable 
multitude  returning  from  Thy  throne  successful, 
rejoicing  and  encouraging  us  to  go  forward.  They 
were  not,  though  all  guilt  and  indigence,  refused 
nor  upbraided;  but  freely  obtained  pardon  and  holi- 
ness and  righteousness  and  strength,  and  w^ere  blessed 
with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in 
Christ. 

O  look  Thou  upon  us,  and  be  merciful  unto  us,  as 
Thou  usest  to  do  unto  those  that  love  Thy  name ! 
Convince  us  of  sin  both  in  its  penalty  and  in  its  pol- 
lution; and  may  we  mourn  over  it  with  a  godly  sor- 
row. Give  us  that  faith  by  which  we  shall  be  ena- 
bled to  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and,  believ- 
ing, may  we  have  life  through  His  name. 

And  may  we  not  only  have  life,  but  have  it  more 
abundantly.  We  often  question  the  reality  of  our 
grace;  but  the  imperfections  of  our  religion  are  too 
obvious  not  to  be  acknowledijed,  and  too  ao^o;ravated 
not  to  be  deplored.  Our  souls  cleave  unto  the  dust; 
quicken  Thou  us  according  to  Thy  word.  Strengthen 
in  us  the  things  that  are  ready  to  die.  May  we  not 
only  live  in  the  Spirit,  but  walk  in  the  Spirit.  By 
holy  resemblances,  may  we  put  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  May  the  same  mind  be  in  us  which  was  also 
in  Him;  and  may  we  feel  it  to  be  our  dignity  and 
dcli<yht  to  o^o  about  doins:  <>:oocl. 


"SVILLTAJM    JAY.  555 

And  as  He  suffered  for  us,  leaving  us  an  example 
that  we  should  tread  in  His  steps,  may  we  learn  to 
suffer  like  Him.  When  reviled,  may  we  revile  not 
again,  but  commit  ourselves  to  Him  that  judgeth 
righteously.  Whoever  may  be  the  instrument  of 
our  grief,  may  we  never  lose  sight  of  an  over-ruling 
agency  in  preparing  and  presenting  it;  but  be  able 
to  say,  The  cup  which  my  Father  giveth  me  shall  I 
not  drink  it  ?  In  patience  ma}^  we  possess  our  souls. 
May  we  be  calm  to  inquire,  wherefore  Thou  contend- 
est  with  us.  Let  not  weeping  hinder  sowing;  nor 
sorrow,  dut}^ 

We  live  in  a  world  of  changes,  and  have  here  no 
continuing  city — may  we  seek  one  to  come;  and  have 
our  minds  kept  in  perfect  peace,  being  stayed  upon 
God.  Be  with  us  to  the  end  of  our  journey;  and 
after  honoring  Thee  by  the  life  we  have  lived,  may 
we  glorify  Thee  by  the  death  we  shall  die.  When 
heart  and  flesh  fiiil,  be  Thou  the  strength  of  our 
heart  and  our  portion  for  ever;  at  death  may  we  fall 
asleep  in  Jesus;  and  in  the  morning  of  the  resurrec- 
tion, may  He  change  our  vile  body,  that  it  may  be 
fashioned  like  His  own  glorious  body;  and  so  may  we 
be  for  ever  with  the  Lord. 

Who  can  understand  his  errors  ?  Forgive,  O  God, 
the  sins  of  the  past  day,  in  thought,  word,  and  deed, 
against  Thy  divine  Majesty.  We  ])lcss  Thee  for  our 
preservation  in  our  going  out  and  our  coming  in,  and 
in  all  our  ways  :  and  avc  bless  Thee  for  all  the  sup- 
plies and  indulgences  which  Thy  good  providence 
has  afforded  us. 


556  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

And  now,  O  Thou  keeper  of  Israel,  wo  commil 
our  souls  and  our  bodies  to  Thy  all-sufficient  care. 
Suffer  no  evil  to  befall  our  persons,  and  no  plague  to 
come  nigh  our  dwelling.  May  our  sleep  be  sweet; 
or  if  Thou  boldest  our  eyes  waking,  may  w^e  remem- 
ber Thee  upon  our  bed,  and  meditate  on  Thee  in  the 
night-watches. 

And  with  the  innumerable  company  who  never 
slumber  nor  sleep,  and  wdio  rest  not  day  and  night, 
we  would  join  in  ascribing  blessing  and  honor  and 
glory  and  power  unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne 
and  unto  the  Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

A  Family  Pkayer  for  Sabbath  Morning. 

OCOME,  let  us  worship  and  fall  down;  let  us 
kneel  before  the  Lord  our  Maker,  for  He  is 
our  God,  and  we  are  the  people  of  His  pasture  and 
the  sheep  of  His  hand. 

Yes,  O  Lord,  we  are  Thine;  and  Thee  ,we  are 
bound  to  serve.  We  grieve  to  think  how  many  of 
our  fellow-creatures  live  without  Thee  in  the  world; 
and  confess,  with  shame,  that  other  lords  have  had 
dominion  over  us;  but  henceforth  by  Thee  only  will 
we  make  mention  of  Thy  name.  We  hope  Thou 
hast  subdued  the  insensibility  and  indifference  to- 
wards Thyself,  so  awfully  natural  to  us;  and  awak- 
ened in  us  the  inquiry:  Where  is  God,  my  Maker, 
that  giveth  songs  in  the  night  ?  We  hope  we  are 
disposed  to  acknowledge  Thee  in  all  our  Avays;  but 
we  feel  our  need  of  the  exercises  of  devotion.  We 
trust  we  hold  communion  with  Thee  every  day;  but 


WILLIAM    JAY.  557 

we  find  Aveek-days  to  be  worldly  days;  and  our 
allowed  intercourse  w^ith  secular  concerns  tends  to 
reduce  our  heavenly  impressions,  and  to  make  us 
forgetful  of  our  work,  and  our  rest.  We  therefore 
bless  Thee  for  the  return  of  a  day  sacred  to  our  souls 
and  eternity;  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord;  in  which,  by  waiting  upon  Thee,  our 
hearts  are  enlarged,  and  our  strength  is  renewed;  so 
that  we  can  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles,  run  and 
not  be  weary,  and  walk  and  not  faint. 

This  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  hath  made;  we 
will  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it.  O  let  our  minds  be 
withdrawn  from  the  world,  as  well  as  our  bodies. 
Let  our  retirement  be  devout.  Let  our  meditation 
be  sweet.  Let  our  conversation  be  edifying.  Let 
our  reading  be  pious.  Let  our  hearing  be  profitable 
— and  on  Thee  may  we  Avait  all  the  day  ! 

Afford  us  the  supply  of  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ. 
None  can  need  Thy  succors  more  than  we.  Thou 
knowest  our  infirmities;  let  Thy  strength  be  made 
perfect  in  our  w^eakness.  Our  duties  are  far  above 
our  own  power — let  Th}^  grace  be  suflicient  for  us. 
Our  dangers  are  numberless,  and  we  are  utterly  una- 
ble to  keep  ourselves  from  foiling;  hold  Thou  us  up, 
and  w^e  shall  be  safe.  The  burdens  we  feel  w^ould  press 
our  lives  down  to  the  ground :  lay  underneath  us  Thine 
everlasting  arms.  Fears  alarm  us;  cares  corrode  us; 
losses  impoverish  us;  our  very  affections  are  the 
sources  of  our  afilictions;  surely,  man  walketh  in  a 
vain  show;  surely,  we  are  disquieted  in  vain — all, 
all  is  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit;  while  in   the 


558  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

world  we  have  tribulation,  in  Thee  may  we  have 
peace;  and  in  the  multitude  of  our  thoughts  within 
us,  may  Thy  comforts  delight  our  souls  ! 

Yet,  O  Lord,  we  Avould  remember,  that  gratitude 
becomes  us  much  more  than  complaint.  Our  afflic- 
tions have  been  light  compared  with  our  guilt;  and 
few  compared  with  the  sufferings  of  others.  They 
have  all  been  attended  with  numberless  alleviations; 
they  have  all  been  needful;  all  founded  in  a  regard 
to  our  welfare;  all  designed  to  work  together  for 
our  good.  We  bless  Thee  for  what  is  past;  and 
trust  Thee  for  what  is  future;  and  cast  all  our  care 
upon  Thee,  knowing  that  Thou  carest  for  us. 

Thou  hast  commanded  us  to  pray  for  all  men,  that 
we  may  be  bound  by  our  very  devotions,  as  we  have 
opportunity,  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  especially 
unto  them  that  are  of  the  household  of  faith.  May 
we  always  cherish  and  display  benevolent  disposi- 
tions toward  our  dependents;  forgiving  dispositions 
towards  our  enemies;  peaceable  dispositions  towards 
our  neighbors;  and  candid  dispositions  towards  our 
fellow-christians.  May  we  be  able  to  say  with  our 
Lord  and  Saviour,  W7iosoever  shall  do  the  will  of 
my  Father  that  is  in  heaven,  the  same  is  my  brother, 
and  sister,  and  mother;  and  pray  with  Paul,  Grace 
l)e  with  all  them  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in 
sincerity ! 

May  the  goings  of  our  God  and  King  be  seen  this 
day  in  every  Christian  sanctuary.  Go  Avith  us  to  Thy 
house,  and  give  testimony  to  the  word  of  Thy  grace. 
May  it  have  free  course,  and  be  glorified  in  the  hearts 


WILLIAM    JAY.  559 

and  lives  of  those  that  shall  hear  it.  May  it  en- 
lighten the  ignorant;  awaken  the  careless;  reclaim 
the  wandering;  establish  the  weak;  comfort  the 
feeble-minded;  and  make  ready  a  people  prepared 
for  the  Lord ! 

Remember  those  who  are  this  day  denied  our 
advantages.  Be  a  little  sanctuary  to  them  in  the 
midst  of  their  privations;  and  let  them  know  that 
Thou  art  not  confined  to  temples  made  with  hands. 
And  O  forget  not  those  who  never  enjoyed  our  privi- 
leges; never  smiled  when  a  Sabbath  appeared;  never 
heard  of  the  name  of  a  Saviour — and  let  Thy  way 
be  known  on  earth,  Thy  saving  health  among  all 
nations  !  Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,  hallowed 
be  Thy  name.  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be 
done  in  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day 
our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as 
we  forgive  them  that  trespass  against  us.  And  lead 
us  not  into  temptation;  but  deliver  us  from  evil :  for 
Thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

A  Family  Peayer  for  Sabbath  Evening. 

IT  is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord, 
and  to  sing  praises  unto  Thy  name,  O  Most 
High;  to  show  forth  Thy  loving-kindness  in  the 
morning,  and  Thy  faithfulness  every  night. 

We  have  this  evening  to  acknowledge  the  bless- 
ings, not  only  of  another  day,  but  of  another  Sab- 
bath. We  bless  Thee  that  the  Sabbath  Avas  made 
for  man,  and  that  Thou  hast  hallowed  such  a  portion 


560  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

of  our  time,  for  purposes  the  most  importaut,  but 
which,  ahis !  we  are  prone  to  neglect.  Thus  Thou 
art  aifordlng  us  opportunities  to  retire,  and  compare 
the  objects  which  court  our  attention;  to  learn, 
among  all  the  cares  of  life,  that  one  thing  is  need- 
ful; and  to  hear  the  inquiry — 'What  is  a  nian  pro- 
fited, if  he  should  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his 
own  soul  ?'  Thus  we  have  moments  of  abstraction 
and  leisure  in  which  we  can  more  fully  investigate 
our  character,  examine  our  condition,  and  ask  for 
Avhat  purpose  we  entered  this  mortal  stage,  and  what 
will  become  of  us  when  the  scene  closes. 

We  thank  Thee  that  the  lines  are  fallen  to  us  in 
pleasant  places,  and  that  we  have  a  goodly  heritage; 
so  that  we  can  add  to  private  meditation  and  devo- 
tion the  public  ordinances  of  religion,  and  can  sit 
under  our  own  vine  and  fig-tree,  none  daring  to  make 
us  afraid.  We  bless  Thee  that  we  have  not  only  the 
Scriptures,  but  the  ministry  of  the  gospel;  and  have 
this  day  not  only  read,  but  heard  the  words  of  eter- 
.nal  life.  We  hope  we  have  seen  Thy  pow^er  and 
Thy  glory  in  the  sanctuary,  and  have  found  the  house 
of  God  to  be  the  gate  of  heaven. 

But,  O  God,  the  eflects  we  experience  while  wait- 
ing upon  Thee,  though  delightful,  are  as  often  transi- 
tory, and  prove  like  the  morning  cloud  and  early 
dew.  Before  the  lapse  of  a  single  day  we  are  com- 
pelled to  complain.  My  soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust; 
and  to  pray,  Quicken  Thou  me  according  to  Thy 
word.  Render  therefore  the  impressions  made  upon 
us  deep  and  durable;  keep  these  things  forever  in 


AVILLIAM    JAY.  561 

the  imagintitioii   of  the  hearts  of  Thy  people;  and 
let  Thy  word  dwell  in  us  richly  in  all  icisdom. 

May  the  instructions  we  receive  attend  us  in  every 
part  of  our  ordinary  life,  and  regulate  and  excite  us 
in  the  discharge  of  all  our  relative  duties,  so  that 
whether  we  are  husbands  or  wives,  parents  or  chil- 
dren, masters  or  servants,  we  may  adorn  the  doctrine 
of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things.  May  we  be  satis- 
fied with  no  knowledge,  no  belief,  no  professions,  no 
feelings  in  religion,  while  our  hearts  are  void  of 
Thy  love,  and  we  are  strangers  to  that  grace  which 
bringeth  salvation,  and  teacheth  us  to  deny  ungodli- 
ness and  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  right- 
eously, and  godly  in  the  present  world. 
*  We  take  shame  to  ourselves,  not  only  for  our  open 
violations  of  Thy  law,  but  for  our  secret  faults,  our 
omissions  of  duty,  our  unprofitable  attendances  on 
the  means  of  grace,  our  carnality  in  worshiping 
Thee,  and  all  the  sins  of  our  holy  things.  Our  ini- 
quities are  increased  over  our  head,  and  our  trespass 
is  gone  up  into  the  very  heavens,  and  there  He  is 
gone  also,  who  is  our  advocate  with  the  Father  and 
the  propitiation  for  our  sins.  Behold  His  hands  and  His 
feet;  and  hear,  O  hear  the  voice  of  the  blood  of  sprink- 
ling that  speaketh  better  things  than  that  of  Abel. 

Pity  those  who  have  this  day  been  deprived  of 
the  public  means  of  grace  by  sickness  or  infirmity. 
Let  them  know  that  Thou  art  not  confined  to  tem- 
ples made  with  hands;  be  with  them  in  trouble;  and 
give  them  their  vineyards  from  thence,  and  the  val- 
ley of  Achor  for  a  door  of  hope. 


562  DEVOTIONAL    THOUGHTS. 

And  remember  the  millions  who  were  never 
favored  with  the  advantages  we  enjoy,  and  would 
be  o-rateful  for  the  crumbs  that  Ml  from  our  table. 
But  they  never  smiled  when  a  Sabbath  appeared  ; 
they  never  heard  of  the  name  of  Jesus;  they  feel 
o-uilt,  but  know  nothino;  of  the  blood  that  cleaiiseth 
from  all  sin;  they  feel  depravity,  but  know  nothing 
of  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  they  are  bleed- 
ing to  death  of  their  spiritual  wounds,  but  no  one 
proclaims  among  them  the  balm  of  Gilead  and  the 
Physician  there !  O  send  out  Thy  light  and  Thy 
truth  !  Let  Thy  way  be  known  on  earth,  Thy  sav- 
ins: health  amono;  all  nations. 

We  now  commit  ourselves  with  all  our  connections 
into  Thy  hands.  Guard  us  through  the  defenceless 
hours  of  sleep  from  every  evil  to  which  we  are  ex- 
posed. If,  as  life  is  always  uncertain,  it  should  please 
Thee  to  call  us  hence  this  night,  may  we  awake  in 
glory  and  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord;  or  if  Thou 
shouldst  continue  us  in  being,  ma}^  we  rise  in  health 
and  comfort,  to  pay  Thee  the  homage  of  a  grateful 
heart  in  a  course  of  cheerful  obedience. 

In  Thy  favor  is  life — Do  27iou  bless  us,  and  we 
shall  be  blessed — safe  from  every  evil,  and  assured 
of  every  good. 

And  prepare  us,  at  length,  for  the  rest  that  remains 
for  Thy  people;  in  wdiich  we  shall  join  the  general 
assembly  and  church  of  the  first-born,  in  ascribing 
l)lessing  and  honor,  and  glory  and  power  to  Him 
that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb,  for 
ever  and  ever.     Amen. 


INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 


Advice  to  the  afflicted page  405 

Affections,  on  religious 411 

Afflictions 463 

"         advantages  of 486 

"         blessed  fruits  of 463 

' '         consolation  in 302 

Assurance 247,  458 

Backsliding,  recovery  from 203 

Believer's  possessions,  the 388 

Believer,  happy  state  of  the 457 

"        the,  safe --459 

Bible,  the 359,  347 

Blessed,  no  pain  among  the 380 

Blessings  to  which  the  Saviour  in- 
vites us 481 

Bliss,  perpetuity  of 213 

Blood     of     Christ,      redemption 

through  the 514 

Blood  of  the  cross,  efficiency  of  -  -  225 

Celestial  city,  the 59 

' '        glory,  visions  of 192 

Choose  Christ 519 

Christ,  beholding  of,  a  transform- 
ing sight 89 

"       beholding  the  glory  of 199 

••       communion  with 133 

"       crucified- 496 

"       crucified,  faith's  view  of  -  -  461 

«'       coming  to  God  by 282 

"       devotion  to 456 

"       filled  with  Spirit 267 

"       vision  and  enjoyment  of  -  -  437 

fullness  of 198 

"       glory  of,  at  the  last  day  -  -  -  135 

"       grace  of 280 

"       giving  glory  to 283 

'*       is  ours 530 

"       imitation  of 300 

"       incarnation  of 305 

"       love  to,  as  our  advocate-  -  -  262 

"       made  sin  for  us 281 

•'       meditations  on  the  glory  of  251 

"       our  acceptance  in 272 

"       our  advocate 254 

"       prayer  to,  in  seasons  of  dis- 
tress   189 

♦•      precious   in    His    instruc- 
tions   453 


Christ  presenting  the  memorials 

of  His  death --  257 

"       resurrection  of 295,307 

"       second  coming  of 158,  428 

"       sympathy  of,  for   the  be- 

Uever 546 

"       the    beheving    soul's    ad- 
dress to--- 439 

"       the   believer's  joy  at   the 

revelation  of -  134 

"       the  heavy  laden  invited  to  441 

"       the  light  of  the  Christian-  -  140 

the  love  of - 483 

"       the  only  foundation- 449 

"      the  preciousness  of 448 

thestudyof 228 

"       ^\'ithout  an  interest  in 482 

Chi-ist's  blood,  virtue  of 507 

"       intercession 282 

"       intercession,  comfort  in  -  -  283 

"       intercession,  efficacy  of  -  -  261 
"       intercession,  perpetuity  of  259 

"       invitations 413 

"       love,  and  the  Christian's  -  545 
"       love,  as  manifested  in  His 

death 271 

"       love,  constancy  of 248 

"       love  manifested  from  the 

cross 235 

"       presence  with  believers  at 

death 443 

Christian's  trials,  end  of  the 350 

joys - 328 

Christian  hope 317 

-    "         ministry,  importance  of  508 

Church  fellowship 284 

Come  to  Christ 522 

"      to  the  Saviour  now 511 

Comfort  in  distress 90 

"        in    the    death    of   pious 

friends 333 

"        against  death 276 

Communion  of  believers  in  heav- 
enly worship  - 190 

"  table,  thoughts  at  the    44 

•'  table,  thoughts  after 

the 47 

Consolation 121 

for  the  afflicted 487 

Covert  fi'om  the  tempest 197 


5^4: 


INDEX. 


Death  and  heaven 211 

"     but  a  sleep 51 

"     comfort  in  the  hour  of 100 

"     fear  of,  removed 530 

"     hope  of  the  righteous  in  -  -  -  451 

•'     meditation  on 32 

•'     of  pious  friends 212 

"     of  a  pious  youth 385 

"     of  Christian  friends 548 

"      of  Christian  relations 385 

"      spiritual  desire  of 138 

"     the  Christian's  vtctory  over  477 

"     the  Christian  in  his 55 

"     the  night  of 63 

"     the  soul's  triumph  over 360 

"     to  the  beUever 404 

«      to  the  child  of  God 515 

"     wiU  come 523 

Devotion  for  the  evening,  a  model 

of 408 

"        the  Christian  in  his 54 

Devout  meditation 398 

Divine  Being,  excellency  of 445 

"      care - 230 

"      guidance - 463 

"      knowledge 361 

"      love   83 

"      mercy,  the  ocean  of 245 

"      promises  -- 506 

Do  this  in  remembrance  of  me  -  -  -    46 

Earth  and  heaven 530 

Earthly  and  heavenly  joys 294 

"      enjoyments,  inconstancy  of  329 

Ejaculations,  pious 359 

Eternal  glory --  136 

"       happiness 291 

Eternity 59,  455 

End  of  time 380 

Faith,  the  eye  of 506 

language  and  power  of 156 

life  of 495 

life  by 177 

steadfastness  in  the 135 

triumphant  in  death 198 

walking  by 426 

Fly  to  the  mercy  seat  -  -  - 372 

Forgiveness  of  sins  final 516 

Glorified  Redeemer,  the 263 

Glory  of  Christ,  manifestation  of 

the 251 

God,  a  life  of  communion  with-  -  -  360 

"     aU-sufficiency  of 390 

"     awake  to 373 

"     behold  as  really  present 42 

"     contemplation  of 178 

"     grace  of 237 

"     infinite  compassion  of 268 

"     infinite  goodness  of 181 

"     love  of 1G4,  265 

"     love  in  the  gift  of  His  Son  -  -  446 

' '     manifested  in  the  flesh 70 

*'     om'aiprescnce  of 52G 


God,  our  access  to 265 

"     our  i^ortion 98 

"     our  refuge 96 

"     pleasures  of  communion  with  355 

"     restin-- 66,  233 

"     thoughts   of,   in  the  devout 

person -- 43 

"     the  saint's  delight  in 321 

"     the  saint's  love  to 412 

"     sinner  invited  to  return  to  -  -  486 

"     spared  not  His  Son 271 

"     walking  with ■  153,  233 

"     the  Word  of 163,  195 

"     visions  of,  in  glory 2'28 

God's  mercy 123 

"     unchangeableuess,  faith  in  -  232 

Gospel,  the - 275 

"       blessed  effects  of  the 516 

"       substance  of  the 264 

Grace 86,  285,  442 

"      and  sanctification,  the  work 

of 332 

"      free 126,  236 

"     maturity  of 249 

"      opposing  sin 331 

Great  Physician 30C 

Happy  immortality,  hope  of  a 453 

Happiness  of  the  life  to  come 140 

Heaven 539 

and  earth  compared 493 

anticipation  of  the  joys  of-  312 

blessedness  of 4'  8 

Christ  the  hght  of 494 

everlasting  joys  of 165 

foretastes  of- 241 

in  view 492 

intercourse  with 459 

love  to  saints  in -  -  -  175 

mutual  joy  of  Christ  and 

behevers  in 406 

no  night  in  - 381 

no  sorrow  in 376 

oiir  journey  towards 423 

our  home -  - 402,  491 

on  the  joys  of 337 

reunion  of  good  men  i-u  -  -  500 

the  Christian  hidden  life  in  383 

the  felicity  of 68,  429 

the  glory  of 75 

the  Sabbath  an  earnest  of-  462 

the  saint  near  to 545 

Heaven's  attractions 540 

Heavenly  aspirations 185 

and  earthly  things    57 

bhss,  progressive  char- 
acter of 497 

conversation  209 

hope 331 

joys 63,  208 

rest 3'31,  375 

rest,  meditation  on  the-  357 

manna,  the 66 

mindcdness 72 

things,  excellency  of  -  -  -  296 


INDEX. 


565 


Heavenly  things,  meditating  on  -  -  319 

"         recognition 73,  173 

Hiding  place  from  tlie  wind 1 96 

Holy  breathings 369 

"    fortitude 370 

"    Ghost,  joy  in  the 239 

"    joy  and  praise,  exercise  of  -  -  -  356 

"    Spirit,  our  guide 87 

Home,  the  happy  return 67 

"      the  Christian's 56 

Honey  from  the  rock 64 

How  to  die  comfortably  -  - 204 

"     a  minister  should  preach  -  -  -  502 

Human  life  perishable 520 

Humility 58,  314 

Hymn  before  the  sacrament 532 

ImmortaUty,  the  desire  of 488 

"  hope  of 521 

Jesus,  safe  in - ---  405 

Judgment  and  eternity,  prepara- 
tion for 504 

"          day,  the  saint's  happi- 
ness at  the 447 

Lamb  of  God 505 

Life  a  pilgrimage 81 

"    everlasting,  the 310 

•'    fountain  of .- 227 

'•    how  to  live  a  pleasant 167 

"    hke  a  river 529 

"    the  water  of 397 

"    uncertainty  of 372 

Live  with  eternity  in  view 327 

Longing  soul's  reflection,  the 243 

Jjord,  ever  with  the 214 

"      praising  the 396 

Lord's  supper 379 

Lord's  sujjper,  institution  and  ben- 
efits of  the 436 

Lord's   supper,    meditations    and 

prayers  on  the  533,  534,  536,  537,  538 
Lord's  supper,  meditations  on  the 

341,  342,  343 

Love  of  Christ,  contemplation  of 

the 517 

Lost  and  found -  - 245 

"    soul,  funeral  obsequies  of  -  -  -  503 

Meditations  on  the  eighth  Psalm  -  137 

Mercy  for  the  vilest  --- 48 

Message  which  Jesus  brings 475 

My  Father's  house 402 

New  song  in  glory 289 

Now  or  never --     187 

On  the  length  of  the  way 82 

Our  duty  and  happiness 518 

"    Father's  house 492 

"    great  High  Priest 525 

"    great  Intercessor 399 

"    our  Life 303 

"   pious  departed  friends 377 


Paradise 77 

Pardon  of  sin 329 

' '       for  the  most  guilty 38 

"       for  the  most  heinous  sins-  237 

"       greatest  sinner 418 

Pardoning  mercy 90 

Passing  away 480 

Penitent  on  his  knees,  a 504 

Pious  friends,  loss  of 176 

Pilgrims,  aU  are 50 

"        entering  the  celestial  city  285 

Poor  in  spirit,  the 430 

Praising  God 93 

Prayer 52,  129 

"       advantages  of 119 

"       and  praise 91,  435 

"       and  reading  the  Scriptures  461 

"       before  a  journey 113 

"       blessings  of    489 

"      for  one  in  affliction 338 

"       for  one  in  trouble 111 

"       for  one  in  sickness 112 

"       for  gospel  blessings,  a 401 

"       for  spiritualized  affections-    46 

"       for  the  penitent -  -  186 

"       in  the  hour  of  Aeath 155 

"       on  committing  the  soul  to 

Jesus 404 

"       on,  for  revivals  of  religion  -  49o 

"       on 117,  279,  439,  549 

"       privileges  of 431 

"       the  man  of 492 

"       a,  for  Saturday  evening  -  -  451 
"       a,  for  Sabbath  morning  -  -  -  556 

"       a,  for  Sabbath  evening 559 

"       a,  for  the  morning 550 

"       a,  for  the  evening 553 

"       a,  for  faith  and  trust  in  God  349 
"       a,  for  God's  gracious  pres- 
ence    351 

"       a,  for  increase  of  grace 350 

"       a,  for  siibmission  of  spirit  ■  364 

"       a  morning 344,  365 

"       an  evening 346,  367 

"       on  going  abroad 348 

"       on  preparation  for  death  -  -  352 

Prayers,  102,  103,  104,  105,  106, 107,  108 

109,  143,  144,  145,  146,  147,  148 

149,  151,  216,  218,  220,  223,  393 

394,  395,  432,  433,  511,  527,  528 

"        morning,  for  a  family-465,  468 

evening-; 109,  110 

"        for  pardon  of  sins 115,  116 

"        on    receiving   the   sacra- 
ment   114,  115 

Reconciliation,  God  to  be  praised 

in -- 277 

Redeemed,  joy  of  the •■  246 

"          in  glory,  the 171 

Redemption 53 

"           near 427 

"            admiration  of  angels-  127 

"            the  divine  mercy  m- -  36 

"            the  covenant  of  ■-" 266 


mQ 


INDEX. 


Reflection  of  a  growing  Christian  -  244 
Iteligiou,  friendship  founded  on  -  -  501 

"        in  the  heart 425 

Repenting  sinner,  the 124 

Resignation  to  the  Divine  wiil 442 

Resurrection,  joy  at  the 383 

Righteous  eternally  secure 340 

"         flourishing  of  the 200 

"  glorified  bodies  of  the  -  293 
safe 120 

"         willing  to  die- 315 

Sabbath,  a  Christian's  love  for  the  524 

Sacramental  petition 362 

Saint's  joy 161 

Saint's  rest .193 

Salvation 125 

"         blessedness  of 31 

"         near 409 

"         of  grace 531 

"         the  pursuit  of 502 

"         to  the  uttermost 509 

Saving  grace 200 

Saviour,  attractions  in  the 420 

"        come  to  the 139 

"       gratitude  to  the 510 

"        in  Grethsemane 27 

"        in  His  exultation 450 

"        on  the  love  of  the 337 

*'        received  up  into  glory  -  -  -     71 


Saviour's  agony 47,  2G9 

"         ascension  and  glorifica- 
tion    308 

"         condescension  and  love-  1S3 
"         goodness  to  the  believer  484 

"  patience- - 364 

"         suff'erings  and  glories  -  -     76 

Scriptures,  the 128 

Soldier,  the  Christian 4P8 

Solitude ■- 180 

Soul,  peace  to  the : 238 

"     repose  of  the 166 

"     the  departing 205 

Spiritual  decays  in  the  Christian  -  202 

"        desertion 97 

Ught - 416 

Standfast,  Mr.,  last  words  of 287 

Thanksgiving  and  praise 169 

duty  of 298 

Trials - 456 

True  Christian  happy 60 

"     penitence - 48 

•'     pleasures 207 

"     rest 131 

Unchangeable  duration 79 

Warfare,  the  Christian 131 

World,  crucified  to  the 187 


Date  Due 

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